Last Saturday, my master naturalist class visited Berry Springs Park and Preserve to observe birds. Although there had been storms the previous night, the rain had stopped by mid-morning. When we started walking around the park, this beautiful barred owl came flying by and started posing right before our eyes.
The Barred Owl (Strix varia) is a large, stocky owl with round heads and no ear tufts. I had only previously photographed screech owls in our old home (you can see a mother-and-child portrait here). So, this was quite a large owl. It measures around 16-25 inches (40-63 cm) with a wingspan of 39-60 inches (99-152 cm), weighing about 16.6-37.0 ounces (470-1,050 grams). Its diet is mainly small mammals (like rodents, squirrels, and rabbits), birds, reptiles, amphibians (frogs, salamanders), fish, crayfish, and large insects. The branch in the first photo is right above a large pond. This owl likely enjoys some aquatic delicacies. These owls can rotate their heads approximately 270 degrees.
Later, the owl moved to another location, again above a small body of water. Although closer, the area was more difficult to access for a clear shot. Although these owls are typically nocturnal birds, they can also be seen during the day, especially on cloudy days, such as when I captured these photos. Since these owls do not migrate, I am sure I could see more of it year-round.
I tried to get a clear frontal shot, but it was impossible, as evidenced by the photo above. This face shot was captured at about 100 mm zoom. The opening shot was at 150 mm, and the vine image at just 42 mm zoom. The site All About Birds has several call examples if you want to hear its call.
That is the story behind the shots. If you liked this photo, you might also be interested in other posts featuring Berry Springs Park and Preserve, Bird of the Week, Parks, Texas, and Wildlife. Until the next time, keep clicking and capturing the beauty your eyes find.
For I.J. Khanewala’s Bird of the Week CXI.
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I. J. Khanewala
It is often hard to get a clear shot of a bird in a wooded area. But I like the ones you have got. The first one is as good as you can get, and all three give you not only a sense of the bird, but also its environment.
Egidio Leitao
Thank you for this valuable feedback, I.J. Much appreciated.
Terri Webster Schrandt
How amazing to see these owls, Egidio. Well done
Egidio Leitao
Thank you very much, Terri.
niasunset
This is great. Fascinated me, especially I loved the hiding one, the last photograph. Thank you, Love, nia
Egidio Leitao
Thanks, Nia. Yeah, I got a kick of the last photo, too. It was great to see it hiding there.
niasunset
welcome dear Egidio, have a nice day, Love, nia
margaret21
What a splendid creature, beautifully captured – though its call sounds a little on the querulous side!
Egidio Leitao
That is a strange call. Thanks for commenting.
nesfelicio
Great shots of this “reluctant” model!
Egidio Leitao
Thank you so much, Nes.
Anita
Oh.. what an absolutely wonderful encounter with this fabulous owl! You captured it very well and provided interesting information about this fascinating creature. I like the second one the most, where he peeks out from behind one of the tree’s branches. Lovely!
Egidio Leitao
Thanks for the compliment and feedback, Anita.
Toonsarah
I’m really fond of owls and this one’s a beauty!
Egidio Leitao
Thank you, Sarah. I rarely have the opportunity to photograph them. I lucked out that day.
Anne Sandler
What a beautiful owl and great shot!
Egidio Leitao
Thank you kindly, Anne.
Randy Schoener
Those are some great shots. It’s rare to get such close ups. Even if it’s not a clean frontal pose.
That side profile in the first shot, is just as good.
Egidio Leitao
Thanks, Randy. The close-ups were special indeed. I will try to get back to that park and maybe run into him again.
Writing to Freedom
These are gorgeous images and details on the owl. Thanks Egidio!
Egidio Leitao
Brad, many thanks for this comment.
Writing to Freedom
My pleasure!
Steve Schwartzman
Nice closeups, even if in the third one a greenbrier vine partly barred your view of the barred owl. I’ve also been to Berry Springs several times.
Egidio Leitao
Yes, I included that shot to show how different angles didn’t help with a clear shot. The first one was the clearest of all. Thank you for the feedback.
Leanne Cole
Wonderful images Egidio.
Egidio Leitao
Thank you, Leanne.
Amy
Fabulous, indeed! The details of bird, wow…!
Egidio Leitao
Thanks, Amy.
Nicole Sara
Absolutely fabulous… both the photos and the owl itself!
Egidio Leitao
Thanks, Nicole.
marina
Fantastic captures!
Egidio Leitao
Thanks for commenting, Marina.