Tuesday, August 4, 2009

Well...I tried!!!

Well, I wasn't going to post these because...well....do I really have to explain!!! But I thought what the heck. It was a fun moment in our lives and we wanted to share.
Morgan and I were headed out to do a little school shopping when just after we left our driveway we saw a "hawk" fly up off the road into a tree. I had a sneaky suspicion that it wasn't a hawk and we stopped for a look. "Morgan...look up and see what you think!" says I. "I don't think it's a hawk, mom." Says she. I had the G9, which looking up into the noon day sky for any camera would be a lost cause. I couldn't even see what I was photographing. I almost missed the bird as I have cropped the above picture to the far right. And as soon as he felt I was paying too much attention...
Whoosh....
...off he flew, me just swinging the camera in hopes of getting something!!
Well, now at least I know, we have Barred Owls in our woods! I can't wait to hear them call!

26 comments:

Jenny said...

Who cooks for you....who cooks for you all! (-: Fantastic news! Do they hoot just at certain times of year? I've heard them in Iowa, but can't remember what time of year I was there.

Eve said...

Hopefully he'll cook for me Jenny! I know that the Great Horned Owls hooted for me in February up north so I'll have to find out more about my Barred. I heard one in May up north during a day time bird trip, but it was being harassed by crows. So I've got some learning to do! My Peterson CD ROM field guide is not compatible with Vista so....I need to get something new...booo hooo!!

Maria said...

I like him peeking down between the limbs, glad you posted

Jenny said...

Hi Evie, have you tried the Thayers Birding CD ROM. Pretty good I think and mine is the old one! I think they've just updated. Might be worth a looksee.

The Giraffe Head Tree said...

WOW! What a cool experience! I've only seen one owl ever in my life - a Great Horned Owl that landed on a dead tree's limb at dusk one evening. I hear their hoots across the road when I take my pre-dawn walks. One day perhaps an owl will grace me in the daytime.

Eve said...

Thanks Maria...I'm glad you're glad!

Thanks Jenny...I'll look into that!

Thanks Debi! It's not often you get to see an owl!

DeniseinVA said...

Eve, I think I would have done a happy dance.

Lynne at Hasty Brook said...

Wheee! Love your new neighbors!

Danni said...

Don't sell yourself short! Both those photos are super cool. The top one is neat because it's clear and he's peeking between those branches looking right at you. Great work on the fly and under pressure and excitement!! lol
I had to laugh to think of you and Morgan, heading out for school shopping, still with your "birding hats" on. :-) :-) Very sweet.

Wendy said...

O my goodness, I LOVE the one where the owl is peeking, such a precious photo!!!

Anonymous said...

Coooool!

Tina said...

WOW!! I'm so jealous..and can't wait for you to seek them out and get some more photos!! Yikes it is August..isn't it..when you said school shopping I was like, huh..jeeze where did this summer go!
Happy shopping..how exciting to be going to a new school..it sure sounds like you and yours are liking your new move!! I'm so happy all worked out so well for you!!

Peggy said...

You know, they say southern Barred's are far more "friendly" than northern ones. This guy must be rogue. Loved hearing and seeing the experience! Any day you see an owl is a great one!

Anonymous said...

That's great Evie. Looking forward to some full length shots of the Owl when you next see him.

Julie said...

Do you think it was nesting in that tree, or just taking a break?

That is so cool that you caught it in flight. What time of the day was it? Pretty strange for it to be flying around during the day, isn't it?

Mary said...

How wonderful! I'd say you did great considering the conditions you were photographing under :-) Catching the head and wings in flight...neat!

Leedra said...

Great neighbors to have, you are lucky indeed.

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A New England Life said...

Good for you Eve! Funny but my husband I were just talking about Owls and how we never see them around here. Glad you had the experience!

Sharon

Rural Rambler said...

Very, very cool! Top picture, those eyes, that face! He was really checking you and Morgan out-beautiful.

Shelley said...

How exciting!! I've NEVER seen an owl in the wild - I hope your good luck rubs off on me!!!

Eve said...

Thanks Denise, I did a happy dance in my head!

Hi Lynne, my new neighbor in the woods should be lots of fun!

Hello Danni! Thanks for loving the pictures, Morgan always has her "birding Hat" on!

Thanks L's mum! I'm so glad you like the post!

Steve! Thanks!

Hi Tina, Don't be jealous...at the rate your going you'll have owls camping out in your bedroom soon enough!

Thanks Hannibal, we'all here in the south know how to please!

Roy it'll have to wait until winter...I'm just not into getting too deep in the woods with all those spider webs and who knows what else!!!

Hi Julie, thanks for stoppin again. He had just flown up into the tree from the road I think it had caught something. Or maybe he was looking for that rattlesnake I saw there the other day!!!
Let's see it was about 11:30 or so...early for owls I guess!

Hello Mary, Thanks!

Thanks Leedra!

Hi Sharon, listen for the Great Horned Owls in February! There're out there somewhere...if anyone can find them you can!

Thanks RR! He was!

Keep looking Shelley! I know you'll get one!

Hi Barb! Thanks I'm so glad you enjoyed the post!

The Birdlady said...

You are finding all sorts of treasures in the woods, aren't you?!

Kelly said...

I'm so glad you decided to post these! I love the photo of him peering through the branches. I haven't been able to photograph and owl yet, but I like your photos!

Unknown said...

That is a good capture considering the circumstances. I'm glad that you had the great G9 with you! Sebastian and I heard a Barred Owl when we went kayak camping a few weeks ago. We also heard an animal scream after being caught by a Barred Owl. They are probably the most common owl in this area- it is the one that I hear the most of, anyway. You will probably also hear a Screech Owl and the Great Horned Owl on occasion. You are beating me- I still haven't been able to get a photo of an owl

Carolynn Anctil said...

Oh, that's exciting! I love owls. There was a barn owl living at the barn where I used to work part time. I'd only see a glimpse of him as he flew by the outdoor light. Silent and mysterious, like a ghost.

Nutty Gnome said...

Hi. I just wandered into your blog from 'A Glowing Ember' and have really enjoyed reading all your posts. You've got some great photos too - included the owl!

We don't have Barred Owls over here, but we have got an owl (don't know what sort as I've never managed to see him yet!) who often sits in the trees outside my bedroom window - fine until he wakes me up! :)