Always a good way to start the day.
This is a male Barred Owl perched over a small swamp filled with Crayfish.
Off in the woods nearby sat his mate in a very old large Spanish Moss covered Live Oak. She was guarding the nest, with at least one Owlet in a dark hole.
He did make several catches, all behind trees and brush of course.
In the Magnolia Plantation bamboo swamp.
I heard one of these today but didn’t get to see it. Beautiful photo!
Thank you. The owls in this particular swamp know they have space, swamp waters. If photographers are slow and quiet the birds will sit and wait for crayfish or frogs. In a few weeks the owlets should be in branches above.