8 replies to this topic

[Rachel M]

I saw what I could've sworn was an owl yesterday morning. It was on the ground in a field looking like it had a mouse. Unfortunately, we were driving, so I didn't get a chance to study it. It was pretty large, and all I saw was its backside. It looked as if it had bars of white and a tan or light brown colour. I can only find my old Peterson Field Guide, which only has frontal views of owls, some only with the face.

With my older field guide and a few internet pictures, I think I've seen a Barred Owl. Is there any known local population of Barred Owls? What I saw was at a fair distance, so based on what I seen in my researching, its the closest size and colour match.

[dave524]

I've encountered many more Short-Eared Owls locally, especially feeding in the daylight. The are residents of open fields and probability wise I would think a more likely species than the Barred Owl. Not saying that is what it was but more likely.

[smerchly]

Going by your colour description I'd say it was a barred owl . They range from the lower states into Ontario . I snuck up one one today with my old Brownie camera and got a shot for you .......... click on the picture ,I got real close to it .....

[Coachman]

Very nice picture, smerchly!

[smerchly]

Coachman, on Mar 30 2010, 10:50 PM, said:

Very nice picture, smerchly!

Don't take that brownie camera seriously Coachman ...ha ha ........It's a Google Image picture , but I must say it is a great shot of this beautiful bird !

[spottedGARRR]

you're brave creeping that close =] i love owls, they're so mysterious, yet ruthless killing machines.
Here's as close as i could get to this guy before he flew the coop, the great horned owl!

[smerchly]

Owls are facinating birds of prey . They really amaze me how quietly they fly, manoevering through the bush in a stealthy manner ! I've heard stories about the great horned owl killing roosting turkeys by slashing it's neck with those long sharp talons ....true ? I don't know but I can believe it ! Nice shot of the owl Garrr , it's hard to get up & personal with them ! I had a great grey owl following me through the bush while moose hunting in Thunder Bay a fews years back & it was hooting every few minutes ....either trying to warn the other animals or putting the fear into me ! what a beauty that bird was.......

[bassmaster12]

Owls are great birds I havent found one yet but I am looking when Im out hiking and what not so far all I found is a grouse and this is when I was at a camp without a camera damn thing

[bigugli]

bassmaster12, on Apr 21 2010, 09:54 AM, said:

Owls are great birds I havent found one yet but I am looking when Im out hiking and what not so far all I found is a grouse and this is when I was at a camp without a camera damn thing

In nature, I have found that you do not get the best result when going out to find nature. Relax and let nature find you. You may be so caught up on that hook and line of yours to notice everything else moving around you. Sit quiet and watch what unfolds around you instead of stumbling and bumbling along the trail making a racket.