Wednesday, February 15, 2012

A brown bird day

Since the sun was shining on my day off, I decided to go out before the winter rains return. I went for a hike in the woods, not really following any trail. I like to just "get lost" so to speak. I was out for about three hours. The woods were eerily quite for being so warm this late in the winter. I did stumble upon a couple of Pileated Woodpeckers, but they did not pose for any pics. I checked the pine stands looking for Long-eared Owls with no luck. I did happen upon this Barred Owl roosting high up in a white pine. The bird was well hidden and camouflaged despite the green/brown contrast.

Sleeping or roosting Barred Owl

When I got home, the sun was replaced by clouds already. Often, I see better birds in my yard then I do when I go out birding. As soon as I got in the house and looked out the window, I found this Brown Creeper creeping around the maples just outside the back door. They are not easy to photograph!

Brown Creeper

Here is a rear view of the bird. I love how this bird is built to suit its way of feeding. Very long toes and claws, curved bill, and a woodpecker like tail.

Brown Creeper

It walks on its claws!


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8 comments:

  1. That's awesome. I really want to see a Barred Owl and have been out of luck so far. I'll just come here instead.

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  2. Your Brown Creeper is just like our Treecreeper here. And strangely enough, I was photographing one today at my local lake lol

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  3. Barred Owl is terrific! Lucky you to see it:)

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  4. I have never seen a barred owl so it was a great find. I also sometimes see more birds in my backyard than it trips to area birding spots,

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  5. Great sightings!

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  6. Cool, love the owl sighting and the brown creeper. Great birds! Happy Birding!

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  7. God, I am so jealous of your Barred Owl. I spend hours searching for owls, and I've never seen a Barred Owl yet! Great catch!

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