BFE Reporter Monday

BFE REPORTER MONDAY

We have lived out here in the middle of nowhere for a little over eight years. I have listened to owls hoot at all hours of the night and often during the day. I have crept around in the woods trying to sneak up on one. Never came close to getting a picture. One big handsome (well if an owl can be) owl had a habit of sitting on a fence post along the road at the bottom of the hill. If you drove by without slowing down he would sit there. If you slowed down or stopped to get a picture he was gone.

Mike says carry your camera. Today I got ready to leave the house just to walk around the acreage. I was off the porch when I realized my camera was still in the house. I had that mental battle we all have when we forget something. Go get it, or leave it. I went back. About 150 yards from the house I saw a large bird swoop down out of a tree and land in another tree down the hill. I wasn't sure what he was so I fished my camera out of my coat pocket. (Mike, that is the garment you wear over your shirt when you live somewhere cold) As I raised my camera to take a picture he flew off again. This time over to the fence line. He landed in a tree and blended in so well with the trunk I had trouble seeing him. I moved over a few feet and apparently since he was about 150 feet away he felt safe. I took six pictures. The two below are the first and the last. He never looked away from me. Mike, thank you for your ongoing encouragement to ALWAYS carry my camera. So your push and eight frustrating years later I finally got the pictures.

BFE Reader Jeff Sutor

ADDENDUM: This is a barred owl. Of all the owls this is one of the coolest looking in my opinion. If you must have one stalking you or even calling your name, this is one to consider.

Picture of a barred owl from the internet.

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