Hello again, Bird Lovers!
"HOOT HOOT"
A few days ago I noticed there was silence and an abnormal absence of the regular feathered friends visiting the bird feeders hanging on the back deck so I stepped outside to take a look. Recent deadly tornadoes in the area followed by a few days of strong winds disrupted the birds' normal activities. Much to my surprise, straight ahead and looking directly at me I spotted a magnificent huge owl, (I believe it is a barred owl), perched on a branch across the stream in the woods behind my house.
I snapped a few photos with my smartphone and took a quick look at them. The quality was grainy and the owl blended into the environment. It was hard to see. I knew if I was going to get any images worthy of the Feathered Friends Community I needed to bust out my new Nikon D3500 digital camera so I ran inside to grab it while hoping and mentally begging the owl to stay put.
Thankfully the barred owl was blissfully content where it was when I returned with my camera and telephoto lens.
Imagine my surprise and delight when the owl started preening!
Click!
Click!
Click!
Click!
Note: If I incorrectly identified the species of the owl, I'd appreciate if someone would kindly let me know in the comments.
I present to you my entry to the Show Me A Photo Contest - SMAP Round 49 where the theme this week is "PREENING BIRDS."
Thank you to all the talented aviary photographers and material presented by the contributors in the Feathered Friends Community founded by the wonderful @melinda010100.
You can learn more about the fun contest hosted by the wonderful @nelinoeva by clicking here: https://ecency.com/hive-106444/@nelinoeva/feathered-friends-show-me-a-d43827f4ac563
Images taken with Nikon D3500 digital camera and edited using Snapseed.
©2021 Nina Haskin. All rights reserved
Thank you for taking time to stop by and visiting my blog. I truly appreciate everyone's continued support! Remember to live your best life!
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Super cutie and he looks like he is posing for you as a skilled model, is he?
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Delightful sighting no wonder you ran back for your camera, wise owl gave a display on preening and cleaning what a lovely looking bird!
Wow... very cool bird and also very hard to find in big forest ☺👌👌👌🥃 I was find one also last summer, but I did not get so close then you 👀👌👌🥃
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That is so cute....never seen them.so close before.
Good job spotting this beauty! I have had a hawk hanging about the past few days and it's funny how the normal routine gets disrupted and it becomes obvious to us that something is going on
Great pictures of a #feathered #friend that one doesn't get to see too often.
Although the forests are bare this time of year, there is something about the lack of color that catches the imagination.
If it were not for your keen eye, you may not have spotted this owl as he blends into the woods with his colors matching his surroundings.
Those are stunning captures of an owl. I have always found them to be such interesting birds. You were lucky you got to see it so close.
Wow, incredible find! A barred owl was just seen in this area for the first time in 20 some years I think, but no luck on seeing it yet here.
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What a surprise to see preening owl!
Fantastic! I am so delighted to see an owl through your lens. 🙂
I never seen an owl closeup yet in my neck of the woods, and the only Owl in my neighborhood is a fake plastic one used to scare away the Starlings that help themselves to the backyard produce. Not really effective as my Blueberries often disappear before they ripen.
I do see other birds; Bald Eagle often at a distance, Robins, Lot's of Crows but I really enjoy the presence of Steller Jays.
Thanks for the pictures @ninahaskin 🦉
He must have heard you mentally begging him to stay 😄 He even planned to surprise you with a preening show which he did succeed in doing 😂
Great SMAP entry. Best of luck with the contest.
Beautiful Photography, loved it🌸
He sure does have some amazing camo!!
Unbelievable! I don't think I ever seen owl like this in the nature. Maybe back in the childhood in the zoo, which I wouldn't go these days anymore! You really got lucky that she waited for you there. Great shots! 💚🦉💚
Truly incredible...Nina! :) I must say, capturing such a bird, during the day... and you absolutely got stunning shots !
It is indeed so very well blended with the whole environment around itself! Amazing !
Very well done ! :)
Cheers !