Close encounter of Owl kind

[jeff...]

We have plenty of hooty and barn owls around here. But tonight I had a surprise shop visitor, a barrbed owl. Odd thing was I had the shop door open and something caught the corner of my eye, I turned to look and here is a owl standing on the stoop looking at me. Geeze what a big bird I thought to myself, I stood still and watched it for what seemed to be at least a min before it flew off into the night. Wow, I felt a little spooked at first because it took me by surprise, but then I felt honored to see such a beautiful owl. I didn't know what kind of owl it was so I searched and found a few pictures that resembles what looked like it. That's when I found out it was a barrbed owl, what a beautiful owl.





I wonder if I build a few owl boxes, if I could attract more owls? This sure was a cool encounter, I'm just glad it didn't decide to come into the shop, I think it could have torn me up pretty easy.

Thanks

[ChrisMathes]

Oh...that is too cool. It's funny how such a simple encounter can make such a big impact. 20 years from now, you will still think of that owl from time to time! I love to see wildlife, especially something like an owl that is so common, yet so rare to come upon.

Cool story..thx for sharing
Chris

[nelsone]

That's really neat! I was living up in China Grove for a while and while walking down a dirt road, a Great Horned swooped over my head! Scared the bejeebers out of me! Those encounters are really neat!

[jeff...]

I really like nature, just not blood sucking bugs . North Carolina has plenty of nature to see and lots blood sucking bugs. I'm glad to see posters in the country stores around here, warning folks not to kill birds of prey. That law makes encounters like this more abundant. Your right it was a little frightening at first but it's was a very memorable moment, I'm glad that owl found me curious enough to hang around long enough for me to admire him / her.

[LeftyTom]

The owl was doing you an honor, no doubt.

Jeff, do you know if that barn owl that was at Crabtree Valley Mall (near the entrance to what was Sears Auto) still around?

[Ray Martin]

Jeff,

I have to agree with the others... you have been honored by that visit. I love the visitors I get in the yard... songbirds, bats, butterflies and the occasional hawk. An owl would be fantastic.

Owl boxes might be a good idea. Having them around sure would cut down on the mouse and snake populations.

Ray

[Bryan S]

These encounters are cool. We used to get regular visits from an Owl for several weeks about dusk or a little after we would see him setting on a dead limb of the same pine tree.

[Kyle]

That is cool Jeff! I like owls and "talk" to them when they hoot.

yep.. NC has "bluud-suckers" galore.

[clowman]

North Carolina has plenty of nature to see and lots blood sucking bugs.

Oh yeah, Sometimes, at the outer banks, when the rain has been plentiful, you have to hold your small children down to keep them from getting carried away.

[DavidF]

Great sighting Jeff! Pity we need a law to stop people killing birds of prey isn't it????

[sapwood]

Cool Jeff
I generally think folks that like wood like nature. I enjoy an abundance of birds in woods and pond around my home (yep, even 1 mile from Southpoint ). Woodpeckers (one Pileated), hawks, great blue herons, green back heron, egrets, ducks, geese, and the usual assortment of yard birds grace my home daily . . . but owls are rare.

Below is photo of Barred Owl I snapped near Joyce Kilmer Forest in 2005:



Roger

[jeff...]

Originally Posted by DavidF

Great sighting Jeff! Pity we need a law to stop people killing birds of prey isn't it????

It is a pity - but you know in a world where common sense ain't so common, a common sense law, makes sense.

Thanks

[jeff...]

Originally Posted by sapwood

Cool Jeff
I generally think folks that like wood like nature. I enjoy an abundance of birds in woods and pond around my home (yep, even 1 mile from Southpoint ). Woodpeckers (one Pileated), hawks, great blue herons, green back heron, egrets, ducks, geese, and the usual assortment of yard birds grace my home daily . . . but owls are rare.

Below is photo of Barred Owl I snapped near Joyce Kilmer Forest in 2005:



Roger

That's him, wished I had my picture because I think they are twins

[dave "dhi"]

if i may ask all...

what does an owl box look like? may need to build one for my property im building on. 7 acres has more then what i want in snakes. already seen a few rather large skin shedding under some sticker-ed lumber! plus the children and wife may like to see an owl once in a while!! thanks , dave

[Cuprousworks]

http://www.50birds.com/MPb1222187SCT.htm - plans for a barred owl nestbox.

We have several barred owls behind our house, and we are often entertained by their spirited calls between each other. Distinctive call: "who, who, who cooks for you...."

Although it's very common to hear them I read where they are reluctant to be around humans. We've seen them only a few times, and your sighting is probably a real blessing. Because they're such private birds I would imagine that box placement is somewhat difficult.

When I asked at the Birds Unlimited store how we might spot the owls that we had been hearing they suggested going to the UNC campus, where a pair has lived and bred for quite some time.

A co-worker told of coming across a baby owl (owlet?) at the base of a tree. It apparently fell from its nest but was not developed enough to fly. Vets told her to nail a basket into the tree and put the immature owl into it, that the parents would return and feed it. She was entertained throughout the summer watching the parents return with food.

Enough about Owl trivia, but hey, at least I've included a woodworking plan!

Mike
Chapel Hill