Early last week, I located the pair of Barred Owls again that I had photographed two weeks earlier. Like the first time, they seemed as curious about me as I was of them. They stayed within a safe distance, yet close enough to enable me to once again photograph them. While photographing the pair of owls as they perched in nearby trees, one of them (I assume the female) flew to her nest on top of a large, old and very tall, dead tree. There were many trees in between me and the nest, making for a difficult shot. I got a little closer, but stayed far enough away not to startle or disrupt her. I was able to capture her tail hanging out of the nest before she nestled further into the nest and out of sight.
The first time I photographed the pair of Barred Owls, it was a cloudy overcast day. This time, the sky was cloudless and a beautiful, bright blue. There also were more leaves on the trees. Next time, it may be even more difficult to photograph the owls, because the trees will be fully leafed out. Nevertheless, I now know precisely where the nest is located, and I hope to be able to photograph their owlets in about a month.
The first three below images are sequential, and show one of the owls as it leaped off a tree limb and flew in my direction.
Below are two more images of the Barred Owls. In the first, the owl was looking me over as I photographed it, and the second image is a closeup profile shot.
Below is the female in the nest with her feathers perturbing out from the hollow of the tree.
While out photographing the owls, I noticed a Canada Goose on her nest (below). She also was keeping a close eye on me.
If you read my last article, you know that I was exhibiting my photography on Sunday at the annual Bluebell Festival held at Merrimac Farm Wildlife Management Area. Given the limited attendance, because the bluebells bloomed very early this year, I had a very successful day and enjoyed sharing my photography with the attendees.
My next article, which I will post in a couple of days, will be of a pair of Ospreys that I photographed last week at Leesylvania State Park building a nest and mating.
Stephen L Tabone Nature Photography 
you got some great shots
It cannot be easy to shoot these birds now that the leaves are coming out — you’ve done a great job with them. The photos are beautiful. Great work!
Thank you. It is a challenge getting to them and shooting them through the trees. It was also costly. I swamped my kayak and flooded a lens case that went to Nikon for repair ($322.00 plus shipping), but I got the shots.
Amazing photos of the owl in flight!!! Kudos!
Patience and persistence pays off…Only with a top notch photographer. Even the owls agree with me.
Great caputure of the owl in mid flight. You make it seem as if I’m looking at a Nat Geo Magazine.
Love, love, love the photos of the owl in flight! Too bad about your equipment but it shows what a dedicated and determined photographer/artist you are. Can’t wait to hear all about your booth and how you did at the Blue Bell Festival. You had a great display.
I especially loved the 3rd photo down. What a great in-flight photo 🙂
Thank you for your comment. I have been out shooting the owls since then, and it is very difficult to get in flight photos of the owls because of the limited light, shutter speed, focusing, and just because their movement is unpredictable.
STEVE http://www.stabone.com http://www.stevetaboneblog.com Sent from iPad (typos included)
Great pictures, I really love your in flight pictures. They are some of the best pictures of a Barred Owl I have seen. I live in Toronto, Canada, and this past weekend, my wife, Jean, and I also came upon a Barred Owl in the forest. What a beautiful bird. If your interested our pictures and video are at: http://frametoframe.ca/photo-essay-barred-owl-sighting-markham-ontario/