This is part of our view as we sit by the pool each day after we finish lunch. It was a noisy 15 minutes.
The tallest trees above were full of black birds. Screeming and diving, about 20 of them.
I said do you see the hawk? they are upset.
The screeching was so bad I stood to go in the house. Bob said
LOOK LOOK up in the tallest palm.
I raced inside for the camera. The Nikon not the phone
In the trees above and the two below He is THERE?
if you enlarge, he can be seen.
he is on the left bottom just above the dead palm frond stick. in all these photos.
enlarge we can see his eyes which followed me every where I went.
I stood peering at him with the zoom
and suddenly He looked me right in the eyes.
The Barred Owl we have been hearing was sitting there with black birds diving at him.
One bird smacked him on his shoulder, he just sat there.
I Madly Snapped
We were so thrilled we talked about him for hours and every time I go out I look for him.
I found that the barred owl is one of few who hunt in daytime hours.
For a week now we have blamed the hawks for all the feathers found on the pool deck.
Each day I fussed about the hawk eating the jays and he was misjudged.
The Owl is Here, we are in love with him.
Hooty is welcome. Hawks are common as robins here.
we have seen screech owls in early hours several times but never an owl like this.
He is a Lifer for both of us and now I get what that word means to bird watchers.
I stood inside our kitche door watching him for another 20 minutes. each time I moved he focused on my eyes from the top of a 40 foot palm, that was 40 feet away, he could see my eyes
inside the glass door.
24 comments:
Awesome! And you got great photos! I have never seen a real one, though they are around here. Now you need to start a life list! And also, apologize to the hawks...
Wow! I can understand why you're so excited. I was excited even zooming that first picture and seeing it. ❤️
What an exciting visitor. So special to actually see an owl and not just to hear him!
oh how beautiful! and such fab photos!!! we love love love owls... we hope it will become a regular visitor of your place... and maybe it is even a super good visitor who sends mice to the pink c. ranch ;O)
Oh that is exciting. I've never seen one in person.
Wow, that is really cool! The Barred Owl is a great visitor in your yard.
You have some wonderful photos too, congrats! Have a great day!
I have seen many Barred Owls, but I have never had one take up residence in my yard. That would as special for me as I am sure it is for you. Enjoy!
Magnificent owl. I'd never heard of it so looked it up in Wikipedia. Seems we don't have it over here.
I'm so excited for you!! And most of all, the barred owl is my favorite of ALL owls!! Incredible sighting. And your photos of it is perfection!!
Wow and wow. My humans are very impressed AND jealous. We don't have any owls here (much to my relief). Xxx Mr T
Hari OM
As a birder I totes get the excitement! What a fabulous visitor to have right there at your back door!!! Congrats on the great photos, too. YAM xx
How exciting! That is one of the best sightings. They are so beautiful and it's so rare to see one! And to have a good view for photos too! I'm excited for you and so glad you shared!
WOW an OWL...and what a great photo. YAY
He quite blends in with the tree while he is looking over the menu below.
Hugs Cecilia
Oh Sandra, I totally understand the thrill of seeing a Lifer. That is so amazing.
I am so impressed with your photos. I love the owl as much as you do!
I am so impressed with your photos. I love that owl as much as you do.
Oh Sandra, what a wonderful sight that must have been...I got goose pimples just seeing the picture!!
That is so exciting!!! I am so happy for you!!!!
I love that owl. What a beautiful owl. Owls are good to have around. They will make sure there aren't any mice anywhere.
Have a woof woof day and week, Beau. My best to your peeps. ♥
Thrilling is right! I'm so glad y'all were able to spot Hooty and it seems he's feeling right at home.
Wouldn't you love to know what he's thinking when he fixes those eyes on you?
Aww that's so exciting. We used to see owls all the time where we used to live. Haven't seen or even heard them here. Plenty of hawks though.
He will definitely keep down the mouse population for you.
Great photos.
Welcome Hooty...
Sue
He is stunning. Photo #5 is excellent. I hear owls often at night but we don't get to see them. Interesting that he is a day owl.
What great pictures of your "lifer"! It's always exciting to us birders when we can add another species to your life list.
Oh wow!!! You got some great shots of this beauty! I would be over the moon!!!
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