Lately, there's been a bit of a buzz about an Eastern Screech-Owl hanging out at Odiorne State Park in Rye, NH, USA.
Photographers & the owl - Paparazzi NH Style
Blessed with a sunny morning without other commitments, Jim and I headed over in hopes that we could spot the owl.
The owl is pretty easy to find....spending the bulk of its time perched in the broken area of a big tree right next to the road.
According to other birders on the scene, sometimes the owl will duck down into a hole behind where it's sitting in these pictures.
Jim watched the owl for over an hour from 9:30 - 10:30 a.m. It yawned, it blinked, and once it kind of rocked back and forth from side to side. The light was great for photography the whole time we were there.
It was surprisingly warm yesterday, sunny and 30 F (-1 C). While Jim photographed the owl, I took a walk along the ocean, and spent a little while in the car knitting my red gauntlets. The main parking lot at Odiorne was plowed with plenty of space for birders, walkers, cross-country skiers and nature-lovers.
Related posts:
Snowy Owl in December 2008
Great Gray Owl in April 2009
How can you find out about bird sightings where you live?
Birding on the Net
We have an email subscription to the New Hampshire birding list - but there are links to birding lists all over the world.
18 comments:
so amazing! love the one of the owl yawning! Evelyn
I can see why you go owl-crazy. It must have been so neat watching him (or her).
That is just amazing that it was right there so close to the road! How convenient! Almost like it wanted the attention! That is just too much fun - that would be another reason you would love New Zealand - 90% of the wildlife are birds!
How awesome that you were not only able to see this beautiful owl but have such a long period of time to get these gorgeous pictures. Thanks so much for sharing!
Looks as though the owl is totally unimpressed with it's fame and following, LOL. Great shots though Sue. My dad love owls too, so I can appreciate your sentiments about them.
Fantastic pictures, and very exciting! I've never seen an owl in the wild, only in the zoo.
The next to last picture looks like he ate something that tasted bad. I love it!
Such an interesting find. The shots are lovely-nice work.
I think these are the cutest photos you've posted. I love them!!! When I lived in North Dakota we would see a lot of snow owls sitting on the top of the utility posts. Haven't seen one since I've lived in Pa.
Love you Paparazzi NH Style comment.
Owls are awesome I love to look for them...
I've not been to that State park - I want to go - Isn't that the one that had tide pools???
Amazing! I love the photos, especially the one where the owl seems to be saying "blecchhh" :-)
He's a beautiful owl!
Boy, I would have walked right on by. He blends in so well to the tree. The only owls I've ever seen are night owls when I'd drive home from work in the dark. I like your kind better.
Hello this snowy saturday.
Owls are nice birds.
So smart and beautiful to look at.
You are lucky to have them so close.
They take mise (hope its right) and rats, and sometime snakes.
Here I havent seen any owls but I thing they are in the forrest.
Nice picturers thoe.
I like them.
Hopa your weekend wil be nice.
Hugs from Norway.
Synnöve.
Beautiful owl! We have Great Horned Owls come around sometimes. They call to each other at 3 am loud enough to wake you up. I just lay there and listen to them.
Owls are so cool! I love them! Glad to see I'm not the only one.
I don't know why we get to see them in the winter, but every year it seems like there are one or two around that are in plain sight during daylight.
I confess that I've been browsing various owl knitting patterns on Ravelry. Since I just had to frog my gauntlets, I really shouldn't start anything new just yet!!
Sue
Wonderful photos! I've posted a link to your post on our front page: Rye Public Library.
Thanks Rye Library for posting a link to my blog!!! I hope lots of your patrons get to see the owl.
Sue
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