Barred Owl

We have a LOT of owls out where we live!! They can be fun to hear, but also they can be kind-of strange sounding. We have Barn owls, Great Horned owls, Barred Owls, and Eastern Screech Owls, and I'm sure others. :) However they are always fun to see and watch!! I hope to start getting some better pictures of our wildlife here, they are so much fun to watch!! :) This owl below I came across when I was riding my bike a few evenings ago. I had to race home to get my camera and go back to where he was to get a few pictures. I was worried he wouldn't be there when I got back, but I found I had nothing to worry about. He (well, I really don't know if it's a he or a she, but anyway), he was hunting for mice! Sitting up on the telephone wire he would scan the field and pay no mind to me. :) He moved twice, but not very far, I think he was annoyed I was there. :) I kept talking to him and whistling at him to try and get him to look at me, he did finally as if to say "BE QUIET"!! :) However, when I was getting ready to put my camera away and ride back home he spotted something in the field and flew down to get it! I was very happy to get a picture in flight! :) I think though he was happy to see me leave. :-)

This is my first time getting a picture of an owl, so please forgive the lack of lighting. :( Not sure you'll be able to even see him in the last picture. :) It was getting dark and on the last of the pictures I was on "shutter" mode so my shutter speed looks as if it might of been a little high. :) I hope to get some better pictures in the future, maybe a Great Horned Owl!!! :)