Jeanette's Big Blog of Animals: Two owls after the walk

So after the walk, Paul suggested I check for the barred owl and try to see a pine warbler. Sounds good to me! Off I went. I have never found an owl on my own, even knowing the general area it was seen. They are extremely hard to spot. But I walked around a while, checking trees, looking, looking. No owls. Right away I was charmed though by a horde of juncos and this nuthatch, who eventually came right over and posed for me.

white-breasted nuthatch

And a kestrel! I'm fairly sure. The lighting was terrible, and my battery ran out, and somehow when desperately fumbling for a new battery I managed to drop my sweater without realizing it. Luckily a kind woman handed it to me, and then asked me where the owl was. Hahahahaha, I love birding! I so wish I had known where it was, she was so kind. She did seem happy about the kestrel though.

American kestrel

Then I saw two people looking happily and intently at a clump of trees, so I thought that looked pretty promising and went over. And indeed there it was! Hello Gorgeous! :-)

barred owl

Heading back down to the ramble I ran into some other folks and we traded owl stories. This day is getting better and better! I started that way but got distracted by this great egret at the upper lobe. I saw it try for a fish, miss, and walk off, trying to play like he had planned that all along. You know how a cat walks off after falling off of a railing or something? Like, nobody saw anything, and my dignity is still intact...... :-) Off to try to find the other owl!

great egret

Sure enough, when I followed their directions, there was a clump of birders all gathered around this little beauty. It was so close to the path, I was a little worried that if some boisterous people came by they could bump into it without realizing it was there. But I guess the owl knows best, it seemed relaxed and content the whole time I was there.