June 13, 2021:
Surprise Yard Visitor!
Today, while I was weeding in our yard, I discovered a small snake resting underneath the dead foliage of a Daffodil.
Initially, I thought that it might be a venomous baby Copperhead.
I carefully placed it in a large plastic bucket, while I went into the house to get my camera.
Upon closer inspection, as I was photographing the snake, I realized that it was a harmless North American Brown Snake.
It was a very cooperative, nonaggressive photographic subject, likely merely wondering what was going on.
For your viewing pleasure, I’d like to share three images of this sleek and attractive reptile.
Enjoy!
Stay safe and have a great day!
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June 12, 2021:
Dusk Falls:
Today, I would like to share a final set of images of our Barred Owls, taken late in the evening of June 8th, as dusk was falling.
Included are shots of the two Owlets, as well as of Mama Barred Owl, who brought one of her Owlets a bird for dinner.
At the end of an active evening, I left the two Barred Owlets as they patiently waited in the fading light for more food from Mama and Papa Barred Owls.
Enjoy!
Stay safe and have a great day!
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June 11, 2021:
More Barred Owlet Evening Activities:
As we head into the weekend, for your viewing pleasure, I would like to share a continuation of the series of images of our Barred Owlets from the evening of June 8th.
As you will note, they were both quite visible and active that evening!
Enjoy!
Stay safe and have a great day!
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June 10, 2021:
The Barred Owlets Are Growing Up Quickly!
I am working my way through many photographs of our two Barred Owlets, which I took a couple of evenings ago, on June 8th.
It is remarkable how rapidly the Owlets are growing and maturing!
They continue to hang out in the relative safety of the high canopy of our woods, now confidently “branching” in individual trees, and taking short flights between trees!
At times they perch together and groom each other.
At other times they remain apart.
The Owlets are not really hunting yet, and still depend on Mama and Papa Barred Owls to provide them with food.
They remain somewhat clumsy and “goofy” and are highly entertaining, when I can locate them!
They are however, quite proficient at hiding in the canopy!
Today, I would like to share an initial set of images of the two Barred Owlets from the evening of June 8th, presented in the temporal sequence that they were obtained.
Enjoy!
Stay safe and have a great day!
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June 8, 2021:
Back To The Barred Owls:
The past few days, I have been away from our home and my computer.
Now back home, I have resumed reviewing recent photographs of our Barred Owl family.
Late in the evening of May 27th, I observed Mama Barred Owl hunting, and feeding a bird to one of her Owlets.
Early the following afternoon, one of the Barred Owlets fell out of a tree.
It was unhurt, and was not at all panicked.
The Owlet strutted around on the ground exploring for a short while, and practiced a little flying.
Subsequently, utilizing its strong beak, its sharp talons, and its flapping wings, the Owlet climbed straight up the trunk of a large tree, back to the relative safety of the tree canopy.
Today, I would like to share several images from these Barred Owl activities:
Mama Barred Owl preparing to feed a bird to one of her Owlets; Mama Barred Owl with additional food in her beak for her Owlets; three shots of the Barred Owlet on the ground after falling from the tree; the Barred Owlet unsuccessfully trying to fly over a fence; the Barred Owlet poking through the fence; and three photographs of the Owlet successfully climbing back up into the tree canopy.
Enjoy!
Stay safe and have a great day!
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June 3, 2021:
Our Barred Owl Family Is Thriving!
I continue to review images of our Barred Owl family from the past few days.
Today, I would like to share several additional photos from May 27th:
Mama Barred Owl grooming one of her Owlets; Barred Owlet hanging out; Papa and Mama Barred Owls resting; Barred Owlet hiding; Barred Owlet “branching”; Mama Barred Owl napping; Barred Owlet stretching; Mama Barred Owl grooming one of her Owlets; Barred Owlet “branching”; and Barred Owlet napping.
Enjoy!
Stay safe and have a great day!
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June 2, 2021:
The Second Barred Owlet Is Located!
On May 27th, shortly after taking a bath, Mama Barred Owl led me to her second newly-fledged Owlet.
First, she spent a little time intermittently biting the bark of a tree trunk and preening.
I’m not sure why she was biting the tree. Perhaps it was to uncover insects to eat. Perhaps it was to clean and/or to sharpen her beak.
I simply don’t know!
In any case, she then flew a short distance to check on, and to groom her second Owlet, before flying off.
Today, I’d like to share a series of images documenting these events:
Mama Barred Owl biting the tree trunk; Mama Barred Owl preening; Mama Barred Owl heading off to her second Owlet; Mama Barred Owl perched beside the Owlet; Mama Barred Owl grooming her Owlet; the two Owls perched together; a second brief grooming session; and three photos of the second Barred Owlet, just after Mama Barred Owl had flown away.
Enjoy!
Stay safe and have a great day!
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June 1, 2021:
Mama Barred Owl Takes Over:
After watching the successful resolution of her Owlet’s “branching” misadventure, Mama Barred Owl took over the show for a while, near midday on May 27th.
She conducted a series of interesting and amusing activities, which she allowed me to observe and to photograph at close range.
Over the past few years, I have spent so much time with Mama Barred Owl, that she seems quite comfortable with my presence.
For your viewing pleasure today, I would like to share a representative sample of images of these activities:
Mama Barred Owl preening; Mama Barred Owl stretching; Mama Barred Owl flying to the pergola; Mama Barred Owl sunbathing on the pergola; Mama Barred Owl drinking water in the bird bath; three shots of Mama Barred Owl bathing; Mama Barred Owl drinking again; and Mama Barred Owl flying back to the woods.
Enjoy!
Stay safe and have a great day!
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May 31, 2021:
Barred Owlet Branching Misadventure:
Late in the morning of May 27th, as I was observing the first fledged Barred Owlet that I had spotted, it experienced a “branching” misadventure.
About 25′ above the ground, the Owlet miscalculated a move in a tree, and ended up upside down, clinging to a branch and leaves with its beak and talons!
It did not panic, however.
For the next 12 minutes or so, the Owlet struggled to regain a secure upright position on the branch.
By flapping its wings, and holding on and pulling with its beak and talons, with intermittent brief periods of rest, the Owlet achieved its goal, without falling out of the tree!
Mama Barred Owlet was perched at a comparable height in a nearby tree, intently observing her Owlet’s travails.
She did not intervene at all, but was apparently prepared to come to her Owlet’s aid, if necessary.
Today, for your viewing pleasure, I would like to share a series of images documenting this exciting activity.
Enjoy!
Stay safe and have a great Memorial Day, remembering those who have sacrificed themselves over the years to preserve our freedom!
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May 30, 2021:
Continued First Day Barred Owlet Adventures:
Today, I’d like to share a second set of images of Mama Barred Owl and the first Barred Owlet which I spotted outside the nest box, from a little later in the morning of May 27th.
These photos are presented in the temporal order that they were obtained:
Barred Owlet stretching one of its wings; Mama Barred Owl keeping a close eye on her Owlet; Barred Owlet napping; Barred Owlet checking me out; two shots of the Barred Owlet grooming its Mama; Mama Barred Owl grooming her Owlet; and three images of the Barred Owlet moving through the tree by “branching.”
Enjoy!
Stay safe and have a great day!
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May 29, 2021:
The Big Day!
Late Wednesday, May 26th, or early Thursday, May 27th, our two backyard Barred Owlets fledged!
They left the safety of their nesting box and took the giant leap of faith into the big World!
The last couple of days have been wonderful for observing and photographing our Barred Owl family!
I am pleased to have been able to share the experience with a few neighbors and friends!
Based on the experiences of previous years, I know that it will be a challenge to find the two Barred Owlets for the next couple of weeks, now that they have “branched” up high into the tree canopy in our backyard.
But I’ll keep trying!
Hopefully, Mama Barred Owl will lead me to them, as she did a couple of days ago.
We’ll see!
I have taken many photographs of the Owls over the past couple of days.
As I review them, I will post a representative sample of images over the next several days.
For your viewing pleasure today, here is an initial set of photos of Mama Barred Owl and the first Barred Owlet which I spotted, taken early in the morning on May 27th:
Barred Owlet resting; Barred Owlet stretching its left wing; two shots of the Barred Owlet “branching”; Barred Owlet resting; Mama Barred Owl and her Owlet; two photos of Mama Barred Owl grooming her Owlet; Mama Barred Owl perched next to her Owlet; and Mama Barred Owlet preening.
Enjoy!
Stay safe and have a great day!
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May 26, 2021:
When Will They Fledge?
I continue to spend part of each day observing and photographing our Barred Owl family.
I am hoping that I will be out in our woods when the two Owlets take the “leap of faith” out of the box and fledge.
I know that the odds are against me witnessing this, but perhaps I’ll be lucky.
We’ll see!
In the meantime, today I would like to share a few of my favorite Barred Owl images from the evening of May 24th and the morning of May 25th:
The two Barred Owlets peering out of their box; Mama Barred Owl vocalizing; Papa Barred Owl Preening; Papa Barred Owl hunting; two shots of a Barred Owlet visually inspecting the big World outside the box; and two photos of Mama Barred Owl inconspicuously hanging out near the owl box.
Enjoy!
Stay safe and have a great day!
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May 25, 2021:
Eastern Chipmunk Brunch:
Late yesterday morning, Mama Barred Owl served her two Barred Owlets a delicious brunch of freshly-killed Eastern Chipmunk!
For your viewing pleasure today, I’d like to share a series of images documenting this activity:
Mama Barred Owl napping in the early morning; three shots of Mama Barred Owl delivering the Eastern Chipmunk to her Owlets; and three photos of Mama Barred Owl subsequently departing the owl house.
Enjoy!
Stay safe and have a great day!
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May 24, 2021:
Another Day In The Lives Of Our Backyard Barred Owls:
My best guess is that our two Barred Owlets will be fledging and beginning their adventures outside of the owl box within the next few days.
We’ll see!
In the meantime, as of this morning, they both remain safely ensconced inside the owl box.
Today, I would like to share some of my favorite images of the two Barred Owlets and Mama Barred Owl from yesterday:
Four shots of a Barred Owlet discovering that there is a big scary World outside of the box; Mama Barred Owl standing sentry near the owl box; Mama Barred Owl preening; three photos of Mama Barred Owl hunting in the evening; and a final evening shot of Mama Barred Owl preening.
Enjoy!
Stay safe and have a great day!
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May 23, 2021:
Mother Nature’s Birthday Gifts:
Yesterday was my birthday.
I spent an enjoyable and mellow day at home with my wife.
In the late afternoon, I searched our backyard for Mama Barred Owl.
I didn’t find her.
But Mother Nature didn’t disappoint!
Instead, I came across an impressive 7 or 8 foot-long Rat Snake, which I observed and photographed!
Shortly before dusk, I located Mama Barred Owl.
She allowed me to watch her evening routine of preening and stretching, in preparation for a night of hunting.
Next, she flew to the edge of the nearby roof of our house, and retrieved a partially-devoured American Robin, which she had stashed there earlier in the day!
It was the first time that I had seen one of our Barred Owls preying on another bird!
Subsequently, Mama Barred Owl delivered the Robin to her Owlets in the owl box, prior to flying off for her nighttime hunting.
Today, I would like to share several images from yesterday’s activities:
Three shots of the Rat Snake; two photos of Mama Barred Owl preening; two images of Mama Barred Owl stretching; two views of Mama Barred Owl with the American Robin; and a shot of Mama Barred Owl just after she had delivered the Robin to her Owlets.
Enjoy!
Stay safe and have a great day!
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May 22, 2021:
More Backyard Barred Owl Activities:
As they grow, and become more curious about the World outside of their box, the two Barred Owlets are becoming a little more conspicuous.
More frequently now, one or both of them is visible in the owl box opening.
Today, I would like to share several additional images of the owls from the past few days:
Barred Owlet and Mama Barred Owl; the two Barred Owlets; and a series of eight images of Mama Barred Owl with a partially-devoured Eastern Gray Squirrel, presented in actual temporal sequence.
Enjoy!
Stay safe and have a great day!
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May 21, 2021:
Recent Backyard Barred Owl Activities:
Our backyard Barred Owl family continues to be the featured Nature show at our home.
I am spending significant amounts of time each day observing and photographing the owls.
Mama Barred owl is virtually constantly present, mainly in the vicinity of the owl box, and sometimes in the box.
Papa Barred Owl is around intermittently.
He continues to help to provide food for the two Barred Owlets.
As the Owlets grow, their nutritional requirements continue to increase.
This necessitates Mama and Papa Barred Owls increasing their diurnal hunting activities, providing me with excellent photographic opportunities in relatively good light.
Today, I would like to share several images from the past couple of days, featuring Mama Barred Owl, who unequivocally remains the star of the show:
Three shots of Mama Barred Owl preening; four photos of Mama Barred Owl devouring an Eastern Cottontail Rabbit; an image of Mama Barred Owl staring at a piece of the Rabbit which she had dropped; Mama Barred Owl retrieving the Rabbit morsel; and Papa Barred Owl in his customary backyard perch.
Enjoy!
Stay safe and have a great day!
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May 20, 2021:
Cedar Waxwing Reprise:
As promised, today I would like to share another set of images of the Cedar Waxwings, which have been feasting on our Serviceberry Trees the past few days.
They are really spectacular and elegant little birds, always “well-coiffed,” and are a pleasure to observe and to photograph.
Enjoy!
Stay safe and have a great day!
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May 19, 2021:
More From The Serviceberry Feeding Fest:
Today, I would like to share several additional images from recent days of the feeding frenzy at our two Serviceberry Trees.
This post will focus on the non-Cedar Waxwing participants, with one Cedar Waxwing photo thrown in at the end as a segue to tomorrow, when I’ll circle back to these stars of the show:
Three shots of an adult female Eastern Bluebird; two photos of juvenile Eastern Bluebirds; an image of an adult female Eastern Bluebird and a juvenile Eastern Bluebird; adult male House Finch; Gray Catbird; Eastern Gray Squirrel; and a Cedar Waxwing.
Enjoy!
Stay safe and have a great day!
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May 18, 2021:
Serviceberry Feast!
Two Serviceberry Trees are thriving in a small raised garden, located adjacent to our garage.
At present, they are loaded with berries!
Consequently, these trees are attracting many birds, which fly in to gorge themselves on the berries.
The stars of the show are a flock of beautiful and elegant Cedar Waxwings!
Other avian species participating in the feast have included American Robins, Gray Catbirds, Eastern Bluebirds, Brown Thrashers, and House Finches.
Today, for your viewing pleasure, I would like to share several images from the past few days of this ongoing feeding frenzy, featuring the Cedar Waxwings:
Five shots of Cedar Waxwings; a juvenile Brown Thrasher; two photos of Gray Catbirds; and two images of an American Robin.
Enjoy!
Stay safe and have a great day!
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May 17, 2021:
Backyard Barred Owl Reprise:
As another work week begins, for a little diversion, I would like to share another batch of images of our backyard Barred Owls, taken over the past few days:
Mama Barred Owl exiting the owl box; five shots of Mama Barred Owl hunting; Barred Owlet; Mama Bard Owl Feeding her Owlets; Mama Barred Owl again exiting the owl box; and a tired Mama Barred Owl napping.
Enjoy!
Stay safe and have a great day!
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May 16, 2021:
And Another Baby Makes Four!
Yesterday, my wife noticed that there are at least two Barred Owlets in our owl box, rather than just one!
I have not yet gotten a good image of the two of them together, but I’ll keep trying.
Included in today’s post, however, is one shot definitively demonstrating that there are at least two owlets.
Papa Barred Owl hasn’t been around much the past few days.
By contrast, Mama Barred Owl has been around constantly, increasing her daytime hunting to feed the youngsters, providing great photographic opportunities!
I look forward to many fun hours observing and photographing our Barred Owl family in the upcoming weeks, as the owlets grow and fledge!
For your viewing pleasure today, I’d like to share several images of Mama Barred Owl and the two Barred Owlets from the past three days:
Two shots of a Barred Owlet from this morning (it has figured out how to hook its talons on the box opening to lift much of its body out of the box); an image of two Barred Owlets from last evening (if you look carefully at the five o’clock position of the box opening, you will see a small portion of the second owlet’s head); three photos of Mama Barred Owl exiting the owl box; and four shots of Mama Barred Owl hunting.
Enjoy!
Stay safe and have a great day!
