Owlmania

Shortly after I was able to get a glimpse and a very poor photo of the Barred Owl that occasionally visits my property (see my blog post where I recount this experience on June 12, 2020, entitled “A Satisfying Week of Bird Watching”, and the section about the owl  entitled “Playing Cat and Mouse With a Barred Owl”), I decided to start trying to watch and photograph the owl in earnest.  I set out one of my camp chairs under my “Airport” and started going out and sitting with my binoculars, my camera, and my morning coffee, about thirty minutes before sunrise.  After a number of attempts that were not successful, my patience and diligence paid off.  On the morning of July 1, 2020, while sitting out front, I saw a large bird fly to one of the Pecan trees in my front yard.  I slowly and carefully made my way closer to the tree and was eventually able to see the Barred Owl with my binoculars.  I ended up watching the owl for about 45 minutes that morning.  He changed perches in the trees several times, and I also saw him fly to the ground and catch a small reptile.  He flew to the light post by my front gate and ate the reptile.  The picture above was taken shortly after he finished breakfast.  Here is one of the pictures I took that morning while he was perched in the tree.

Emboldened by my success and armed with the knowledge of where the owl liked to perch, I kept going out early in the morning to look for him.  I didn’t go every morning, but at least two or three times a week.  On the morning of July 7, 2020, I spotted him and watched him for a few minutes before he flew away.  Here is a picture from that morning.  

I next saw the Barred Owl on the morning of July 10, 2020, and then again on the morning of July 19, 2020.  Here are a couple of pictures from those two encounters. 

By this time, I was starting to feel like the owl and I were becoming friends.  He seemed to be comfortable with me getting closer, and I was certainly more relaxed and less excitable after having seen him on many occasions.  I saw him next on August 3, 2020, and then again on the morning of August 5, 2020.  Here are a couple of the photos I took of him on those dates. 

On August 8, 2020, my friend the Barred Owl and I had a nice long visit.  I watched as he perched in several different spots in the trees and on the fence.  Twice he flew to the ground to inspect and/or catch something.  It was a wonderful morning!  Here are some pictures I took that day. 

I next saw the Barred Owl on the morning of August 12, 2020.  It was a fairly brief visit.

My friend the Barred Owl stopped by for a quick visit on the morning of August 20, 2020.  I only had time for a couple of photos that morning!

It had been a while since I had seen the Barred Owl that visits my property, so, on the morning of October 9, 2020, I sat out front and shortly before 8 a.m. he made a brief appearance.  Good to see you old friend!

On Sunday morning, October 11, 2020, I sat out front on my camp stool.  After a while, I heard a mob of Blue Jays making a fuss, and it turned out they were harassing my friend the Barred Owl.  I got several shots of him, the best being of him on the fence right before he headed to the woods across the street. 

Well, that is about it for this edition of “Owlmania”.  I hope to someday locate this owl’s nest.  From what I have read, they don’t move around much, so I don’t think it is too far away.  I also assume this bird has a mate, or perhaps a mother and father, or maybe siblings.  I hope that, if I continue watching, I will learn more about this bird’s family.  Wish me luck!