Outdoor Ontario

Photography => Ontario Birds => Topic started by: mr.sharp-photo on January 23, 2010, 11:04:05 AM

Title: Barred owls - Presquille park - Jan 22
Post by: mr.sharp-photo on January 23, 2010, 11:04:05 AM

I posted my story on the main page. here are the pictures that go with the story.

before it swooped to the ground:

(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2766/4297224847_288afb4dcb_b.jpg)

(http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4035/4297265369_c4154b5381_b.jpg)

(http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4022/4297241271_c69383f6a4_b.jpg)

The first owl after it swooped to the ground:

(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2717/4297892458_636f92f268_b.jpg)

(http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4045/4297149535_66c2e14444_b.jpg)

a close-up crop:

(http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4002/4297892720_9b5150fdeb_o.jpg)

then the 2nd barred owl landed 5 feet from my head and started hooting at the owl on the ground. it swooped at the ground owl and it started to fly:

(http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4009/4297922702_1f2f9dddd4_b.jpg)

(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2701/4297924136_0c077f70fa_b.jpg)

then it landed back in its tree and the 2nd owl attacked it:

(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2798/4297934548_034fb40b5e_b.jpg)

looks like a fight and not like foreplay :)

here's a cropped picture (i love their yellow claws):

(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2789/4297207463_1c235d6855_b.jpg)

the 1st owl flew away and the 2nd owl remained.

(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2804/4297952304_48e167b1cd_b.jpg)

this image was taken after he flew away from the scene of the crime.

Title: Re: Barred Owl
Post by: Lloyd on January 23, 2010, 12:17:15 PM

The images are superb. Well done!!

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Post by: Niloc on January 23, 2010, 01:06:40 PM

BRAVO YOGI... these are amazing pics thanks fopr sharing....

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Post by: Moira on January 23, 2010, 05:40:57 PM

Wow - what a privilege to have been present for all of this!  Great shots, I probably would have stood there watching with my mouth open :)  I especially like the pic of the owl on the ground.  Great life in the eyes and great action.  Congrats!

Title:
Post by: mr.sharp-photo on January 23, 2010, 05:54:32 PM

thanks to everyone for the comments.

this ranks in my top birding and nature moments. things went from being peaceful to 10 seconds of chaos and shock. the 2nd owl was so close, i basically froze.

this was up there with me stumbling into the black crowned nigh heron's nesting area last spring and seeing 100 of them mating and building nests all around me.

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Post by: ravynne40 on January 23, 2010, 06:38:44 PM

What an incredible experience and thank you for sharing this with us :)
beautiful pictures too, love the crop - the eyes are amazing.

Irene

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Post by: denis on January 23, 2010, 07:14:34 PM

great experience,and shots yogi.
love the flight shots,and the catchlight in the eyes.
denis

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Post by: MEGHAN on January 23, 2010, 08:25:00 PM

Wonderful photos.
I told you it was worth the trip.  :D
Is it fighting?
The perched Owl doesn't seem to put off by this "attack"
No open beak or aggressive posture.
Who knows?
Very nice find!!
Meghan

Title:
Post by: mr.sharp-photo on January 24, 2010, 01:37:57 PM

Quote from: "MEGHAN"

Wonderful photos.
I told you it was worth the trip.  :D
Is it fighting?
The perched Owl doesn't seem to put off by this "attack"
No open beak or aggressive posture.
Who knows?
Very nice find!!
Meghan

no clue. never asked an owl about its sexual habits before :)

Title:
Post by: egret on January 24, 2010, 02:18:07 PM

loved your photos

His/her feathers
look like a beautiful
Fan in some of the px


Egret

My goodness, their eyes are
dark as night

Title:
Post by: rc2009 on January 25, 2010, 09:17:02 AM

Awesome captures, very sharp.

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Post by: beresford on January 25, 2010, 12:59:50 PM

Some brilliant shots. Love the pics of the two 'fighting'.

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Post by: mr.sharp-photo on January 25, 2010, 05:52:32 PM

Quote from: "Niloc"

BRAVO YOGI... these are amazing pics thanks fopr sharing....

thanks, dude.
coming from you, i take that as a big compliment.