I don't want to talk about what this guy was up to in my yard this morning, but

[arikara]

I did get some good photos of the SOB.










edit: whoops... missed one and posted one twice

[liberal N proud]

1. Wish the one in our back yard would come back

We have too many rodents.

[arikara]

2. Well I usually don't mind them around

they keep the squirrels under control. But this time he cleaned out a nest of baby robins.

[VA_Jill]

21. Owls

have to eat too, whether or not you like their menu choices.

[alfredo]

3. Your yard is the Schwab's drugstore for Star-struck Owls.

They hope to be discovered.

[likesmountains 52]

4. Sorry about the robins, but beautiful pictures of the owl. Wow.

[arikara]

11. He sat in the cherry tree winking and blinking for over half an hour

with me directly underneath taking pictures. The poor robins were beside themselves and kept flying at him and even hitting him and it didn't pay one bit of attention. Even the hummingbirds were in on the harassment. He only flew away when my neighbor came over and then there was a bit too much activity for his liking. Bloody bugger.

I felt so bad when I saw the empty nest.

[Skittles]

5. omg....wow

[Solly Mack]

6. Pretty!

Nice shots!

[Orrex]

7. Who?

[Lucky Luciano]

9. He's on first. nt

[Orrex]

10. Won't Get Fooled Again

[rdking647]

18. I really want to know?

Who are you?

[riqster]

31. Who has left the building. She's in charge now.

[DrewFlorida]

8. Wow, the CIA is making those new drones very lifelike!

[JeaneRaye]

12. Flammulated Owl?

From the recent bird classes that I took, I learned that the only two types of owls in my area of the country (Reno, NV) that have black eyes are barn owls and flammulated owls. That is NOT a barn owl. Flammulated owls are also small, only about 5-7 inches tall with a 13 inch wing span. These owls have a summer range in the western US and up into British Columbia. Don't know where you saw your owl, but could this be the one? Very cool. Thanks for sharing.

[arikara]

15. Its a Barred Owl, they are totally different than a Barn Owl

they are taking over other owl specie's territories in this area of Vancouver Island. These are smaller than they look because their feathers are so puffed out. Actually they maybe just a little bigger than a crow.

[JeaneRaye]

16. barred owl

Yes, I knew it wasn't a barn owl. The class I took only discussed birds found in my area of the country. Barred owls were not discussed, so I didn't know that they also have black eyes, rather than yellow, like many other owls have. When I looked up your barred owl, I saw that you are right on with your identity. Thanks again for the pictures!

[NV Whino]

13. WOW!

Great shots!

[Mz Pip]

14. What a gorgeous creature!

These are wonderful shots. I am green with envy.

[rdking647]

17. i love the closeup of his face

i iwsh i could get an owl to set up shop in the owl box i put up in my yard.
of course then i would shoot 10000 pictures of him

[Samantha]

19. and what beautiful photos they are

Thank you for sharing.

Sam

[Worried senior]

20. He's a beautiful

creature but nature can be cruel.

[Celebration]

22. Wow great job!

Whatever the guy was up to, it was definitely worth it!

[tclambert]

23. "Hey! Quit clicking that camera at me. I'm tryna take a nap here!"

"Sheesh. Can't a guy get a little shut-eye around here? I was up all night, ya know."

[uppityperson]

24. hoo Hoo hoo Hooooooooorrrr

pretty barred owl. Our local one drives the dog nuts as he/she flies in, lands silently and isn't noticeable until flying again. Pretty bird.

[truth2power]

25. Would you mind sharing what sort of lens you used to get those pics? thx.

[arikara]

27. I'm using a Sony DSC-HX1

Its in the "super zoom" class which is not quite an SLR but more than a pocket camera. I got it in 2009 and I've really enjoyed it.

[truth2power]

29. The pics you're getting with that are just amazing! I see (from checking it out on amazon) that

it has a 20X zoom.

I think what this shows is that the abilities of the photographer are more important than (within reason) the camera you're using.

Great job!

[7962]

26. Lovely pictures!

[sinkingfeeling]

28. He certainly looks like a sage! Wow!

[matt819]

30. These are incredible

Great photos.

Given the look of this guy, he can pretty much do whatever he wants in the yard.

[Orrex]

32. The owls are not what they seem.

[ramapo]

33. Fantastic!

Great shots. You are very fortunate to have this guy hanging around your yard.

[IrishAyes]

34. Stunning.