Colleyville Nature Center: April 2016

I've been seeing pictures online of Barred Owls at the Colleyville Nature Center. Having the morning off today, I decided to head over and see if I could find them.

The answer was quickly revealed to be "yes."  In fact, this isn't even the first owl I saw.  But the first one was in deep shade high in the canopy, and I couldn't get a decent picture.  I pointed him out to someone else, and was rewarded with directions to the nest of the mated pair!

On my way to said nest I hopped over a small creek, and this one flew practically right over my head as I did so.  Shame on me for being so focused on getting to the nest that I wasn't scanning the trees!  Fortunately he didn't fly far, and I had slightly better light when he landed.

On to the nest site I went, where I watched and waited.  This Carolina Wren stopped by briefly to sing me a pretty little song.

This is the most action I saw during the hour I spent watching the nest cavity.  Catch the feathers there at the bottom?  I believe that's the mom shifting.  They appeared, moved briefly, then disappeared.

My hopes went up a little when the female called and the male answered, and they continued calling back and forth for a few minutes.  I thought some sort of movement would be forthcoming, but that was not the case.  Well, at least I know where the nest is for a future visit.

On my way back to my car the first owl I'd seen was still sitting in the same spot.  The light had improved enough that I was able to get a decent shot this time.

I followed the trail to see if I could get a vantage point with better light, and I did.  And he turned around to continue to watch me.  Jackpot. :)

He flew off again and I followed, but his new spot was partially obscured by lower branches.  Still, I had to take some pictures when he started grooming.

The place was crawling with Fox Squirrels, as normal.  Just a few feet from my car, this little badass shot me some stink eye.

Then he turned a bit and looked curious and adorable.  Funny how just that slight shift in his profile seemed to completely change the emotion I was projecting onto him. :)

I got the great owl shot I was hoping for plus more, and set myself up for future trips.  Great morning!