I can thank Stewart over at WBW for motivating me to make this post! I've been going for walks in our local park and a week or so ago I heard a distinctive "whoooo, whoooo, whooo". Now I'm not a "bird" person by any stretch, but this owl was big and fairly easy to spot even though high up in a eucalyptus tree. I was in deep shadow, so a bit challenging to get a fast enough shutter speed for well-focused photo. However, I was totally surprised and excited to see an owl in a local city park with limited open space.
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| Profile shot. |
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| Eyes closed. |
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| Eyes open. |
I did a quick internet search. This guy looks kind of like a Great Horned Owl, but I'm not really sure. I've only seen two or three wild owls in my lifetime, so really fun spotting this guy. Also, I've been back to the park about four times and he's always in the same spot. On my walk yesterday, someone pointed out there are actually two owls! I'll be on the lookout on my next walk!
What a fantastic creature - owls are always amazing to me.
ReplyDeleteLooks like a Great Horned Owl to me.I'm glad you got to see and photograph this bird.
ReplyDeleteLooking in the Audubon Field guide to North American Birds its indeed the Great Horned Owl. Very common and even in deserts but still you must be very lucky to see one. Great shots.
ReplyDeleteI hardly ever see owls, but I know they are here - I sometimes hear their calls.
ReplyDeleteGreat photos!
Merry Christmas!
congrats on the sighting. We have a mated pair here on the Hillsborough River I can usually calling out every night. So very cool.
ReplyDeleteOh its a beautiful owl! Well spotted!
ReplyDeleteMerry Christmas to you!
Wow--- That third shot is amazing. Well done. And Merry Christmas!
ReplyDeleteThat's wonderful. Thanks for posting this guy. I'm kind of a bird person (constant amateur) but I never see owls, except for the burrowing variety we have here in Florida. (And those little guys don't hide like their big cousins do ... in fact burrowing owls practically sit up and say "hi, please take my picture."
ReplyDeleteBeautiful owl!
ReplyDeleteGreat shot! And in a Gum Tree as well - probably considered a weed outside of Australia!
ReplyDeleteHope you have a great Christmas - Cheers - Stewart M - Melbourne
Great shot! Awesome birds, I sometimes see them around my place in AZ, though never been lucky enough to get shots like yours. During the early morning hours I sometimes hear them calling each other. I understand from locals they generally travel in pairs.
ReplyDeleteHope you have an excellent Christmas.