Unacceptable Rypstra
010 (9) (WS) The Threat
A Barred Owl on watch for a meal.
The day I discovered the Pileated Woodpecker nest, we were walking in a local park where I often saw owl sign, heard reports from other hikers of owls in the vicinity, but had not succeeded in finding them myself.
Close to where there was owl sign everywhere, we finally spotted a small female sitting on the perfect branch, not far from the trail. I was kicking myself for not having the camera with me.
We continued the hike, and came to a spot where I had heard the Pileated W. drumming. He was drumming again, only this time, I also heard the female Pileated along with an American Robin, acting very upset. By tracking them down, I found the male Barred Owl, tucked in a dark grove of trees.
He didn't like the extra attention of my family discovering him, and it wasn't long before he flew off.
With him gone, I started looking for the Pileated nest site. It had to be close for the female to be that upset, and the male drumming within earshot behind me somewhere. I found the nest rather quickly, nearby in an open area, very close to where the owl had been.
I raced home for the camera, dropped the kids off, and returned...making sure that the owl hadn't returned during my absence, before approaching the nest site.
Two days later, the nest was empty, but I came across the small female Barred Owl again. So glad I had the camera with me this time, as she was once again found in the open and almost at eye level.
Please don't use this image on websites, blogs, etc. without my permission.
010 (9) (WS) The Threat
A Barred Owl on watch for a meal.
The day I discovered the Pileated Woodpecker nest, we were walking in a local park where I often saw owl sign, heard reports from other hikers of owls in the vicinity, but had not succeeded in finding them myself.
Close to where there was owl sign everywhere, we finally spotted a small female sitting on the perfect branch, not far from the trail. I was kicking myself for not having the camera with me.
We continued the hike, and came to a spot where I had heard the Pileated W. drumming. He was drumming again, only this time, I also heard the female Pileated along with an American Robin, acting very upset. By tracking them down, I found the male Barred Owl, tucked in a dark grove of trees.
He didn't like the extra attention of my family discovering him, and it wasn't long before he flew off.
With him gone, I started looking for the Pileated nest site. It had to be close for the female to be that upset, and the male drumming within earshot behind me somewhere. I found the nest rather quickly, nearby in an open area, very close to where the owl had been.
I raced home for the camera, dropped the kids off, and returned...making sure that the owl hadn't returned during my absence, before approaching the nest site.
Two days later, the nest was empty, but I came across the small female Barred Owl again. So glad I had the camera with me this time, as she was once again found in the open and almost at eye level.
Please don't use this image on websites, blogs, etc. without my permission.