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Post by opalpyrexia on Jun 26, 2019 22:58:08 GMT -5
Over the last few days we've enjoyed some baby Barred Owls that suddenly appeared in the trees behind our home. We initially thought there were two of them, but today we confirmed four. Mama owl, who's quite large, showed up briefly on Sunday, keeping an eye on her children while she was hidden in the trees. She swooped in a couple of times when she thought the kids might need some support, but they were fine. Barred owls aren't afraid of humans, so we stayed clear of the babies rather than risk Mama's needle sharp talons. Today there was a cute encounter between one of the young owls and a very young squirrel. The baby owl was intently watching the squirrel until it finally decided to attack. The owl's attack was clumsy and the baby squirrel scampered up a tree. Just a moment later the little squirrel ran down the tree toward the owl, and the baby owl flew away in fear to escape the squirrel. That little squirrel was lucky that Mama owl wasn't in the area at the time.
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Post by MsAli on Jun 26, 2019 22:59:41 GMT -5
Omg!
Cutest thing I've seen all day
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Post by Pat on Jun 26, 2019 23:02:26 GMT -5
 What a treat!
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jasperfanatic
spending too much on rocks
Member since January 2019
Posts: 463
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Post by jasperfanatic on Jun 26, 2019 23:05:12 GMT -5
Love this! Owls are amazing birds.
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Post by hummingbirdstones on Jun 26, 2019 23:05:49 GMT -5
They're adorable! I absolutely love owls.
Thanks for sharing the pictures!
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agatemaggot
Cave Dweller 
Member since August 2006
Posts: 2,195
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Post by agatemaggot on Jun 26, 2019 23:14:42 GMT -5
Rodent eradicators in training ! Those are really cute little guy's !
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Post by fernwood on Jun 27, 2019 1:58:13 GMT -5
Great experience. Nice photos.
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Post by rockjunquie on Jun 27, 2019 7:20:45 GMT -5
Great pictures! They are sooooo adorable.
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Post by hummingbirdstones on Jun 27, 2019 8:17:06 GMT -5
The picture of the two babies on the planter needs to be in a calendar.  |
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Post by miket on Jun 27, 2019 9:30:17 GMT -5
Very cool, I love owls.
Thanks!
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Post by Rockindad on Jun 27, 2019 18:34:21 GMT -5
Excellent pictures, love the third one.
Al
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Post by hummingbirdstones2 on Jun 27, 2019 23:03:08 GMT -5
Those little guys are even more cool than the baby hawks here.
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fishnpinball
Cave Dweller
So much to learn, so little time
Member since March 2017
Posts: 1,491 
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Post by fishnpinball on Jun 28, 2019 0:13:10 GMT -5
Too cute.
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fuss
spending too much on rocks
Member since October 2018
Posts: 254
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Post by fuss on Jun 30, 2019 10:01:19 GMT -5
How fortunate to see and photograph!
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Post by bobby1 on Sept 3, 2019 0:13:06 GMT -5
I made a barn owl box and hung it on my shop. Usually, there is a mating pair in there in the spring and early summer. They do a great job of getting all the pesky gophers in my yard. This last year they did such a great job that the pair didn't come back this spring. The owls are strictly nocturnal so you rarely see them around. I do get a ladder and peek in on them when the little ones are still in the nest.
Bob
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NRG
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since February 2018
Posts: 1,687
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Post by NRG on Sept 10, 2019 22:39:44 GMT -5
When an owl leaves the nest they are the same size as their parents and most often weigh 10% more. I gather from these images these are much smaller than a standard barn owl. I'm afraid I'm no owl-spert and have no clue what they actually are. I simply suggest you have something even cooler and rarer than a standard common barn owl. I'll summon a friend with superior google-fu to help us determine what exactly they are. Jean, would you have a moment to help ID these gorgeous photogenic predators? Please and thank you! Excellent images and thanks for sharing! rockpickerforeverBarn Owlets have the deep white face of the adults. |
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Post by rockpickerforever on Sept 10, 2019 22:55:49 GMT -5
Not barn owls, BARRED owls. Also known as northern barred owl or hoot owl, is a true owl native to eastern North America.
Barred owls have expanded their range to the west coast of North America, where they are considered invasive.
Strix varia Barred Owl - Wiki
NRG
Done and you're welcome. |
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NRG
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since February 2018
Posts: 1,687
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Post by NRG on Sept 11, 2019 12:50:19 GMT -5
Jean, you never fail! Well done! Bravo!
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Post by rockpickerforever on Sept 11, 2019 12:52:06 GMT -5
Scott, that one was too easy. The OP had already said what they were!
(Did you quit wearing your glasses?)
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NRG
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since February 2018
Posts: 1,687
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Post by NRG on Sept 11, 2019 12:54:16 GMT -5
Scott, that one was too easy. The OP had already said what they were! (Did you quit wearing your glasses?) I swear it said Barn Owl.... 🙈 |
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