On a cold and intermittently rainy day yesterday at Huntley Meadows Park, most of the birds seemed content to hunker down in the trees. I had arrived in the park before sunrise, hoping that the weather would improve, but when the mist turned into a light rain and then grew heavier, I decided to call it quits early.
I had just opened the door of my car when a birdwatcher asked me if I was interested in seeing an owl. Of course I said yes. We walked together a short distance and the birder pointed through the trees at a cedar tree and told me that the owl was about six feet from the top of the tree. I could see the cedar tree, but could not spot the owl—all I could see was a tangle of branches.
Finally the birder decided that the best way to show me was to take a shot with my camera. When I saw the image, I had a better idea where to look. Then my battery died. The rain was coming down as I rummaged through my camera bag for a spare battery. I knew where to look, but still couldn’t really see the owl when I took my first shots, but the owl was in the frame, albeit in the corner, and I was able to make some adjustments.
Eventually I did get some shots of the Barred Owl (Strix varia). None of them are really sharp, but the soft focus, although not intentional, is in keeping with the feeling of the moment and seem altogether appropriate for a rainy day owl.
© Michael Q. Powell. All rights reserved.
Mike Powell 
I know it has been used in reference to eagles, but I know that any day I see an owl is a good day! It would be nice if one day a year they all wore a reflective ribbon so they could be easily spotted but then I suppose that would take the thrill out of it.
A reflective ribbon might be pushing the envelope a bit too much, Lyle, but maybe they could perch in the open, so that I could spot them more easily and get an unobstructed shot. I definitely agree that any day I see an owl is a good day–I am blessed to see eagles fairly regularly, but owls are a rare treat for me.
I’m very impressed with your shots. I’ve never seen an owl in it’s natural habitat, despite the fact that I’ve heard them when they were on my chimney, and in the woods behind my house. We had great horned owls, screech owls and a couple others. I did once see a barn owl fly past us when my family and I were on a long distance bike trip. We were on one of the islands of the outer banks in NC. Even with the rain, you captured some great shots!
Thanks, Sally. Last year I saw an owl for the first time in the wild and had a couple of chances to get shots. Perhaps I will be as fortunate this year too.
Always a treat to see, and amazing at how something that big can just sit there in plain sight, eh?
“Plain sight” is a relative term, Joe. The cedar tree on which it was perched had so many branches that it was tough to get a clear sight line to the owl.
I think owls are some of the hardest to photograph because they always seem to find that obscured spot behind many branches that make photographing them such a challenge. Hey, you got some shots with the owl’s eyes open, so that’s a plus!
I think the owl was very aware of my presence and seemed to be watching me. If an owl is silent and motionless, there is little chance that I’ll spot it without help or a lot of luck.
They are such amazing creatures…Love your photo series.
Thanks, Charlie.
Owls are masters of camouflage aren’t they! Lucky day for you Mike and for us watching your shots😊
Thanks, Chris. Last winter I was fortunate enough to have a couple of owl encounters and am hoping to repeat that success this year.
That was a good day, raining or not!
It was a great find–I know with 100% certainty that I would have never spotted the owl without help. I’m thinking that I may need to get some binoculars to help me find birds at a long distance.
I have some mini binoculars that you can wear on your belt and they do a great job.
Always exciting to see an owl!!