We had a little cold front blow through which sometimes means a change in birding activity and what one might see out in the field. I hadn't been out to Bluebonnet Swamp in a few weeks, so I thought I'd check it out and see what's what. The first thing I noticed was how thick and green the plant life has gotten. It's getting harder to see the birds now, especially the little ones. I passed a couple of photographers on the boardwalk asking if they had seen anything. All negative; the swamp was as quiet as a church mouse. Continuing on the boardwalk, something caught my eye. There sat Barbara, the resident barred owl, not ten feet in front of me on a low cypress limb, scouring the waters below. She sat and posed for several dozen photos, then swoosh, she hit the water and came up with a crustacean. A few moments later she took off to the nesting site several hundred feet away to deliver the mid-afternoon snack to her owlets. Made my day.
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| Mama has just spied the meal in the water below. I missed the flight shot because I was chimping (looking at the shots I had just taken on the back of my camera). Chimping is a no-no when wildlife is present. Even though I was just checking to see if the exposure, etc. was correct, I spent way too much time doing it. There's still so much I have yet to learn. Sigh. |
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| The owlets are nestled in the hollow of this tree. You can see mama's feathers as she descends to bring them food. |
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Thanks, Hilary, for selecting this post!
63 comments:
Barbara is beautiful. You did a great job capturing her.
What eyes! Just gorgeous!
Happy Tuesday. ☺
I was surprised to see that Barbara was hunting in daylight and that she hunted in water. It sent me to the internet for a little more research. I learned that barred owls are "opportunistic" hunters. Sounds like they'll eat anything they can catch. This is a wonderful series of images. My personal favorite is the closeup in the second one, but I love them all.
You've got some stunning shots of Barbara. I love owls but never seem to see them in the wild.
These are simply fantastic photos. Thank you for sharing.
WoW!!! fantastic images. She's beautiful!
Beautiful Gail! Felt like I was right there with you!
Barbara is a gorgeous barred owl. I love how people-friendly they are!
Barbara's a beauty...awesome images of her. I'm a a frequent chimper but had no idea!
Yesterday I saw a red headed woodpecker fly across my street and land on the side of a tree next door before flying on. What a treat!
Fantastic! I've never seen an owl in the wild. Barbara's eyes almost look blue. The white tips are stunning!
I'd never heard of 'chimping'--what a cute word.
Such cool shots!
Isn't she gorgeous! Wonderful captures Gail! I have yet to capture an owl photo :( I probably spend too much time chimping!
What a great encounter. You caught it all so beautifully.
You did so well to capture those shots.
I'm smitten by Barbara! She is so regal. And owlets? How can you stand it?!?
MARVELOUS!!! just marvelous shots, gail!!! she's so beautiful. you put mine to shame!
I get so happy when I stop in here. Your photos are amazing. Such great shots my friend.
Hugs~
What a treat to spot an owl during the day! Great shots! Chimping...so that's what it's called! I'll have to remember that, and not to do it so often! ;-)
In awe! She's wonderful. Have you ever considered becoming a birding guide/teacher?
Oh wow.. I love Barbara and what a great opportunity... love the shots.. Thank you for your good wishes Gail...hugs..Michelle
Oh how I wish I had been there to witness your shot by shot adventure of the owl. I think I mentioned this before, that I have never seen an owl before. Sam sees them all the time at the farm, but I just am never in the right place at the right time. I think they are so beautiful. Enjoyed seeing the pictures.
Wow, lucky you Gail! These shots are fabulous!
Oh Gail! These are amazing (I think I use that adjective too often, but I'm running out!)....You have captured such fabulous detail. These are so impressive.
You just keep getting better and better. The pics of the owl is absolutely stunning, brilliant!!
Wow wow and more wow!
Just superb shots of the owl there Gail. An opportuntiy you didn't waste. I'm guilty of "chimping" too, but like you it's actually checking the exposure even though it's a bit dangerous in missing "the shot".
What awesome photos! She is so pretty!!!
Very beautiful photos.
Gorgeous captures, Barbara!
Love it very much.
Warm greetings from Holland,
Anna :))
Just fell in love with Barbara! Great pictures!
You are such an awesome photographer! sandie
She's so beautiful! Wonderful photos.
Lovely sighting of the owl. Your photos are wonderful, Gail!
What a gift ~ to be able to photograph this beautiful owl and the owlets in the tree hollow ~ Wow! Great shots! Enjoy ^_^
Thanks for coming by and commenting .
These are the most amazing pictures I have seen in a long time. I love all the detail.
Oh my! What a gift Barbara gave you by allowing you to capture her so beautifully. Fantastic shots, Gail. I'm so impressed.
Wow! These are such great shots! When I first moved into my house, I'd hear a pair of owls hooting every morning. It seems like I very rarely saw one though. I bet you were thrilled. xo
All your pictures are lovely - but especially like the first two!! Ohh my- her eyes!! And did you see what she got for those babies Gail??? A crawdad!! heheheee - a true Louisianan :-}}
Simply fantastic series of a beautiful bird!
Love that shot with the crayfish! She must have the hot sauce in the tree hollow.
Very nice work!
--Wally
These are stunning, and doesn't she just look so coy!
Beautiful shots of owls - i really like the way you have captured the patterns their feathers make.
That's a great set of pictures. I dont see too many owls and not in the day light!
Cheers and thanks for linking to WBW
Stewart M - Melbourne
Superb sequences of captures Gail. Mama Barred Owl is beautiful and a good provider. Love those last two shots!
Barbara is absolutely beautiful, Gail, and how lucky you are to be able to see the babies! Thank you for sharing these here.
Wishing you a wonderful day!
I LOVE Barbara. Not only a beautiful, perfect name for her...but such a gorgeous owl!!! [Of course, with the name "Hootin'", I'm bound to like owls, right?
She's so pretty, and your photos are picture post card perfect.
Hi, Gail. Just had to stop back and say congratulations on another well-deserved POTW!
exactly what linda just said!!! yippee!!!
She is beautiful, and I'm proud to share a name with her! Wonderful shots - I'm guilty of chimping, too, but only because too often my settings are off and I've totally screwed up a photo! Congrats on the POTW!
WOW!! Did I mention wow! Gail, these photos are incredible - the way you captivate nature amazes me :) Barbara is beautiful. Thank you for sharing with us :)
Hugs,
Stephaie
Oh don't be hard on yourself girlfriend! Those photos are EXCELLENT!!!! One usually just sees the owl straight on with it staring at you. You got great angles that made it really look like what it is; a large bird! and ...yes, I did get a steal on that necklace!!!!!! :D
My goodness Gail!! These are totally awesome images of the Barred Owl. If I'd achieved shots like these it would have made my year!
Magic magic magic. Last year I was on a walk with the dogs & forgot my camera. Naturally it was a rare occasion when I happened upon a barred owl who watched me from about ten feet away! No camera, grrrr!
Wonderful series - what a beautiful owl! It must have been nice to observe all this happening in front of you.
These are such beautiful images, Barbara. Found you at Hilary's. Congratulations on the POTW mention for photography.
Can you hear me applauding?! To say your photography is mind blowing is an understatement. Thank you so much for sharing your talent with us!
what a beautiful owl!!! resplendent creature :)
and you have taken such wonderful shots of it :)
http://www.myunfinishedlife.com/
I have only seen one owl in person in my entire life - this is so amazing that you captured these shots!
Loved this post! I have a friend that also has a resident owl. His name is Ned--he even has his own facebook page!
Thanks for sharing!
Such a lovely creature. Did she hoot while you were capturing her? Big hugs, xoxo
Wow, these are just amazing, Gail!
Terrific photographs!
These are awesome shots. Wish i was there to see it in person too.
Gail these are amazing shots of owls. I would love to have them live closer.
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