Barred Owl...03-01-21

On Monday, 03-01-21, I was out looking for the owls. The first owl I found was the male Great Horned Owl, “Give a Hoot” sitting high in a large tree behind several small branches facing the marsh.

I thought I would out smart him today so I backed away slowly, then headed to the “winter crossing” to walk out into the marsh where I had a better opportunity to get some photos. First, I set up my tripod and attached my lens with my camera. Then I put on my backpack, grabbed my trekking poles and swung the camera/tripod over my shoulder while walking through knee deep snow. I should have had my snowshoes on because it was slow going.

Once I got to the spot I thought I needed to go on the opposite side of the marsh from the male GHO I set my tripod down and started glassing the area for the owl.  I spent 10 to 15 minutes looking for him. I don’t see him… Eventually, I left everything in the marsh and walked back to the area where I initially saw the Male GHO and he was no longer there. So much for out smarting him today.

After I packed up my gear I continued looking for the Barred Owl. Once I checked most of its known areas I was about 30 yards from leaving the area when I saw the Barred Owl. This was the first time I’ve seen the Barred Owl in this particular area. It was now a little after 6 pm and I’ve been in the woods since 3:30 pm.  

Once I got my camera all set up I spent about 15 minutes with the Barred Owl. Once again I was so close to the owl that I needed to take off my 1.4x teleconverter to get the owl in the frame.

Here are some of the images…