I can’t believe it, but I observed a Barred Owl (Strix varia) again, only a day after my first sighting and in the same general vicinity in my local marshland park. The circumstance were similar—it was during daylight hours (about 9 o’clock in the morning this time) and I first caught sight of the bird when it was flying.
The most recent encounter was a little more unusual, because the owl flew across my path from ground level and perched briefly on the branches of a fallen tree only about eight to ten feet (less than 3 meters) above the ground. The best shots that I managed to take on this occasion were mainly profile shots that give a good view of the almost human-shaped eyes as well as the small yellow bill. Many of my other shots showed the back of the owl’s head—it never looked directly at me.
I suspect that this is the same owl that I observed the previous day. One of my friends warned me that this is nesting/mating season for these owls and that they can get aggressive at this time of year. According to media sources, a Barred Owl attacked four joggers at a park in Salem, Oregon in separate incidents earlier this month and snatched the cap off the head of one of them. The park has posted warning signs that actually recommend hard hats. Check out this video from TV station KOIN for details about the owl attacks.
After watching that video, I am walking a bit more cautiously now when I am in the area where I spotted the owl, but have not yet taken to wearing a hard hat.
© Michael Q. Powell. All rights reserved.
Mike Powell 
Having your hat snatched by an owl would be different, The one I met last summer didn’t seem aggressive at all, but I’m sure that its mood could have changed quickly.
Great shot Mike! 😀 Here’s an interesting owl video: Nature Report: South Texas Owls: http://youtu.be/gLqdb-ohQ8s via YouTube
Wow, that does sound a bit frightening. Interesting and valuable that you were able to hear these recommendations. I’ve only seen Barred Owls in a tree in the Everglades, but they sure look big.
The only thing better than finding an owl like that is a repeat performance. I’m happy for you.
The hard hat advice strikes me as a bit funny. Something tells me the owl would avoid it just to make the wearer seem a bit ridiculous.
Owls are such special creatures…Your photos are superb and the video was such great fun.
My husband was attacked by seagulls when he was running a while back. Not sure if they were nesting or not though.
Your style is unique compared to other people I have read stuff from.
Thank you for posting when you’ve got the opportunity, Guess I wilkl just bookmark this
web site.
Thanks so much for your kind words. I enjoy writing the words that make up the blog as much as I enjoy posting the photos that I take.