A look back at my personal favorite captures of these (usually) nocturnal birds taken during my 2020 photo year. Owls seem to capture the imagination unlike any other bird, probably due to the fact that while they are common, many go unseen. I know I certainly love taking their picture. Among the types of owls I photographed were the common great horned owl, the summer visiting burrowing owl and the lesser seen screech owl and barn owl.
Barn owl hanging out at the barn
These guys are just so cool and have such a unique look to them. I’ve only been able to photograph them a handful of times, twice in the wild and twice at photoshoots.
This particularly one is owned by Nature’s Educators and is named Caliban. Almost exactly one year ago today I took part in a raptor photoshoot in which it was one of the featured birds. It was extraordinarily well trained giving me tons of poses and some beautiful flight shots.
These guys are quite common but they are rarely seen usually staying tucked away during the day in dense tree cover, tree cavities and yes, barns.
Profile of a barn owl
Such a beautiful and distinctive bird. A very fun, way cool bird and while not uncommon, not one you normally get to see or photograph. That is why I welcomed the opportunity get pictures of this barn owl, Caliban, back in October.
Raised for educational purposes and now owned by Nature’s Educators, he was a fantastic model and tons of fun. It also gave me an opportunity to play with my Tamron Lenses USA SP 70-200mm F/2.8 Di VC G2. I love that lens!
Beautiful barn owl glides to a landing
Say hello to Caliban, an educational ambassador for Nature’s Educators. He was one of the participants in the raptor photoshoot I did a few weeks ago and definitely one of the highlights.
While I have photographed a few barn owls in the wild, those opportunities are quite rare. These guys are quite common but they are rarely seen staying tucked away during the day in dense tree cover, tree cavities and yes, barns.
I am always struck by their wingspan. They are only 12 to 15 inches tall but can have a wingspan of 3 to 4 feet! That allows them to glide low and slow across the open lands where they like to hunt.
Just a reminder… If you love owls, I have a 2020 calendar dedicated to these creatures of the night. Check it out here.
Barn Owl says, “Hello, World”
Taken back on Independence Day, I had spent a couple of hours waiting for this little one and its siblings to emerge from their nest at Barr Lake State Park, Colorado. I was about to give up when this one finally decided to make an appearance.
While it was the only one of the three to show its face, it put on a nice little show for myself an the other photographers nearby. I love this shot of it as it first appeared with what looks to be a huge smile at its audience. It isn’t often you will find these birds out in the open.
Like most owls, they are nocturnal and during the day they usually hang out in tree cavities, dense stands of trees and of course barns and other spots well out of sight. These medium-sized owls can be found across most of the globe, including the contiguous United States.
Barn Owl owlet puts on a show
Such a ham. While its siblings remained hidden in the next within the tree cavity, this little one seemed to revel in the attention myself and a half dozen other photographers gave him a few weeks ago. Three times he scampered out of the nest, and then back in, climbing around and putting on a display each time.
It was undoubtedly a bit cramped down in the home so this particular time it chose to stretch its wings above its head. It also spent some time flapping its wings, giving them a test, a sure sign it was getting ready to fledge. Indeed, just a few short days later, these cool guys were out of the nest and starting their new life on their own.
Like most owls, they are nocturnal and during the day they usually hang out in tree cavities, dense stands of trees and of course barns and other spots well out of sight. These medium-sized owls can be found across most of the globe, including the contiguous United States.
Barn Owl owlet climbs out for a public appearance
I heard about this very unique opportunity early last week and paid the site a visit right away. That however was in the afternoon and light was horrible so my pics were disappointing.
Yesterday I went back in the morning under better conditions and soon found myself hot and frustrated. The Barn Owl owlets were simply not wanting to come out, choosing instead to stay hunkered down in the next inside a tree cavity.
I waited for almost two hours as temperatures rose then finally, one emerged. The little one ended up putting on quite a show for a half hour or so, climbing in and out of the nest a few times, stopping to pose in between each time.
This sequence shows the owlet as it climbed out the first time.
Barn Owls are notoriously shy and secretive, very rarely placing a nest within easy viewing of human eyes. This one however is at a Colorado state park not far from my house and very visible from a walking path. Such a huge treat to be able to see them and I will certainly be trying to get back before the young ones fledge.
Barn Owl makes a happy landing
That face! So cute and it certainly looks to be one happy raptor. Humans do tend to project our emotional reactions and our perceptions onto animals when we really have no idea what they are ‘feeling’ but you can’t help it with this image.
This particular owl was a participant at a photo workshop I took back in October. Cupid is two years old and was captive bred for educational programs and he now serves as an ambassador for Wild Wings Environmental Education.
These medium-sized owls can be found across most of the globe, including the contiguous United States. They typically remain out of sight roosting in tree cavities, dense stands of trees and of course barns and other buildings.
Barn Owl patrols by dawn’s early light
With some pretty fall-colored leaves in the background, this male Barn Owl patrols an open field on the lookout for a meal. Photo opportunities of these nocturnal raptors do not come often as during the day they are usually hiding away.
For this image, I “cheated” a bit and took part in a workshop where I had the opportunity to get pictures of this captive bird. Named Cupid, he belongs to a raptor group that used him for educational purposes.
Like most owls, they are nocturnal and during the day they usually hang out in tree cavities, dense stands of trees and of course barns and other spots well out of sight. These medium-sized owls can be found across most of the globe, including the contiguous United States.
Barn Owl makes some noise
These guys definitely don’t make the traditional ‘hoot’ that some owls are known to do. Instead, they make this raspy, eerie sound that almost sounds like a scream. Very weird.
It isn’t often you will find these birds out in the open. Like most owls, they are nocturnal and during the day they usually hang out in tree cavities, dense stands of trees and of course barns and other spots well out of sight. These medium-sized owls can be found across most of the globe, including the contiguous United States. This particular owl is a captive one named Cupid, used for educational purposes.
You can listen to the odd sound they make here.
