Coyote mating season is in full swing so our local pair have been out and about lately. This morning they groomed themselves during a light snowfall, then were concerned about a noise and promptly left.
A question for all you owl experts out there. Last night taking my dog out for the last time she started sniffing the air more so than usual around the kennel area. I went out after with a flashlight and noticed the carcass of what I believe to be a barred owl, the head was missing but the outstretched wings looked like a barred owl.
All around the carcass there were wing marks in the snow, like there was a struggle going on. This afternoon while we were out again, there was another barred owl sitting beside the carcass, I got a quick couple of shots as I didn't want to disturb what was going on. I was able to get within about 20ft from the owl.
I read that barred owls usually pair for life, so I am assuming the carcass is the mate of the owl sitting beside it.
Does that make sense? I thought of moving the carcass into the woods in my backyard where the dog doesn't go to remove the distraction. But I don't want to do that whilst the live owl is sitting there next to it.
Any ideas as to what I should do?
The carcass is near the bottom of the frame.
Canon EOS R6m2Canon EF 400mm f/5.6L lens400mmf/5.61/1000s200 ISO0.0 EV
A little closer view.
Canon EOS R6m2EF400mm f/5.6L USM +1.4x lens560mmf/8.01/1250s1000 ISO0.0 EV
pliukaitis wrote:
I read that barred owls usually pair for life, so I am assuming the carcass is the mate of the owl sitting beside it.
Does that make sense?
Makes sense Pete. Several years ago I came across a male mallard duck next to a dead female and its was walking around the carcass and looking at me while making lots of noise, not the normal quacking but one I could sense the sadness and pain of loss. I could see the sadness in its eyes and movements. The only time I have ever experienced this with a bird.
chuck4242 wrote:
Coyote mating season is in full swing so our local pair have been out and about lately. This morning they groomed themselves during a light snowfall, then were concerned about a noise and promptly left.
chuck4242 wrote:
Coyote mating season is in full swing so our local pair have been out and about lately. This morning they groomed themselves during a light snowfall, then were concerned about a noise and promptly left.
chuck4242 wrote:
Coyote mating season is in full swing so our local pair have been out and about lately. This morning they groomed themselves during a light snowfall, then were concerned about a noise and promptly left.
Superb compositions "chuck"! Had to be a real "rush" to be near these majestic creatures!
Dan
Danpbphoto wrote:
Superb compositions "chuck"! Had to be a real "rush" to be near these majestic creatures!
Dan
It was a great way to spend a morning! Plus I was able to just lift up a screen on my porch and shoot them from there. I'm sure they could smell me, but at least they were not feeling threatened by my presence.
