If you visit regularly you may have noticed things have slowed down.
I have found this site needs a little attention, we have reached the WordPress limits. Whooo knew (pun intended of course).
For the a week or so the site will be under going maintenance. Older articles will be closed but the site should remain up and running.
Thanks, Ted
This is a Rufous (brown) morph Eastern Screech Owl. There is also a grey morph but he hasn’t shown up yet. Males claim the holes, the female will inspect it and might move in.
They are small and agile, and about 7 to 10 inches tall and have a wingspan around 18 to 24 inches. We knew he was around but some friends we travel with pointed him out yesterday. This bird is invisible. These shots were as close as we would go, they live here, we just visit.
He did what all Screech Owls do, opened one eye to check us out. I have never seen a Screech Owl do anything other than that.
ACE Basin has four types of owls;
It’s hard to see the shot and know how much better it could be with just a little different angle.
There’s a reason he likes to sleep here, in the middle of swamp water. Nobody will bother him.
I took the shot and moved on.
Barred Owl, Charleston, South Carolina.
One of the locals in his spot.
He was clearly awake and watching the swamp below. He would be happy to see a Bull Frog but most likely it is the Crayfish he wants.
He likes to sit on the side of this trail so it’s worth the walk… just never forget a full body bug spray treatment first.
When I first looked at the owl shots from the other day the angle and missing head feather details struck me. I deleted most and held a few aside to review.
After another walk through I had one of those ‘good grief’ moments.
Of course the feathers were off… they are not true feathers. This bird still has some facial down, baby fuzzy.
There are several active Owl nesting spots nearby. This bird probably came from one of them.
Barred Owl tucked into trees along the edge of a swamp.
This is not one of usual locations we see Owls. A month ago we did see a Barred Owl near here so this may be a new spot to check.
I recently received a message from WordPress (this site hosting company) that I had published articles/photographs daily for the last 1,000 days, have over 11,000 pages, and 27,000 + photographs.
Good grief, I think it’s time for a break.
For the next week or so the site will just have a few scheduled photographs.
See you soon…
A new spot for Owls. At least for me, probably not him.
A side trail behind some swamp areas usually reserved for small warblers has been invaded by this Barred Owl. Maybe he came to visit the Warblers too.
With lots of thick branches and Spanish Moss an Owl can rest here, hide, and wait for some type of opportunity.
Barred Owls hunt by dropping down, or silent gliding, to prey from above. Most times prey is pinned to the ground for some time before the Owl flies off. Barred Owls here prefer Crayfish, and people don’t seem to get as queasy about the hunting routine for them. I know I don’t. They’re called ‘mud bugs’ for a reason.
Adult Barred Owl, Charleston, South Carolina.
