Category Archives: Owls

Short Break Time

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.

Brown Wood Owl
Brown Wood Owl

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…

Out Of Place, Barred Owl

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.

Out Of Place, Barred Owl
Out Of Place, Barred Owl

With lots of thick branches and Spanish Moss an Owl can rest here, hide, and wait for some type of opportunity.

Out Of Place, Barred Owl
Out Of Place, Barred Owl

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.

Out Of Place, Barred Owl
Out Of Place, Barred Owl

Adult Barred Owl, Charleston, South Carolina.

Spectacled Owl Portrait

This guy gets your attention every time.

They are found from Mexico down through all of South America. Having a big range there has kept the population safe and stable.

Spectacled Owl Portrait
Spectacled Owl Portrait

There are a few subspecies so size varies but typically they are about 2 foot tall.

Avian Conservation Center / Birds Of Prey, Charleston.

Great Horned Owl

Not much you need to say about these birds.

The Great Horned Owl is found in both North and South America. They stand about 2 feet tall, have a 5 foot wing span, and weigh 4 pounds.

Great Horned Owl
Great Horned Owl

They have a loud deep call that will wake a photographer in the middle of night, cause them to sit up, even sneak outside to listen.

Avian Conservation Center.

Noticed Something To Eat, Brown Wood Owl

He forgot about everything else around him.

Noticed Something To Eat, Brown Wood Owl
Noticed Something To Eat, Brown Wood Owl

Brown Wood Owls are found in India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Taiwan, and south China. Their call is more like a scream than what we would think of as an Owl call.

Noticed Something To Eat, Brown Wood Owl
Noticed Something To Eat, Brown Wood Owl

They need dense forests to survive, an ongoing problem. In addition Wood Owls are even more nocturnal than most Owls.

Noticed Something To Eat, Brown Wood Owl
Noticed Something To Eat, Brown Wood Owl

Avian Conservation Center, South Carolina.