I’ve photographed hundreds of Barn Owls over the years but this was something I’d never seen before and haven’t seen since that I recall. I posted another photo of this bird several years ago but these two shots from my archives are new to my blog.
1/1000, f/5.6, ISO 640, Canon 7D, Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS USM + EF 1.4 III Extender, not baited, set up or called in
It was an overcast early spring morning at Bear River MBR when I managed to capture quite a few photos of this owl as it was flying in my general direction while hunting. Due to the low light some were sharp and some weren’t but an even dozen of them were good enough to keep.
I chose to include these two photos in part because whenever I post a short flight series I like to include…
1/1250, f/5.6, ISO 640, Canon 7D, Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS USM + EF 1.4 III Extender, not baited, set up or called in
alternating wing positions – wings up and wings down. I didn’t get a catch light in the eye in either shot but I didn’t really expect to because I had two strikes against me in that regard – the deeply set eyes of Barn Owls and the very low light.
But something else struck me about this bird that partially made up for having no light in the eyes.
There’s blood smeared on the lower portion of its otherwise pristine white facial disc and that’s something I’d never seen in this species. It happens often with many other raptors but rarely with Barn Owls and for good reason. Small mammals like voles, mice and the occasional shrew make up the vast majority of Barn Owl prey items (74-100% depending on the individual owl and the situation according to various studies) and those small mammals are swallowed whole which would produce little if any external blood.
However, some individual Barn Owls take songbirds now and then, especially starlings, blackbirds, meadowlarks and wrens and occasionally their heads are lopped off and discarded before the owl consumes the rest of the carcass. Obviously the beheading process would be a bloody procedure so I suspect that was what this owl had recently done.
I’m only speculating of course. Only the owl knows for sure and this inscrutable bird wasn’t talking.
Ron
I’m with EC on this! Well put and appreciated.
I looked for barn owls yesterday in the predawn. I did not see any yet. Lots of pheasants and harriers.
Any day with an owl in it is immediately improved.
Many thanks.
I heartily agree, EC.
Gorgeous flight shots! The dorsal wing markings are spectacular!!!
Thank you, Marty.
A beautiful bird with a decidedly realistic touch. Interesting and informative speculation about the source of the red stain; I guess it’s safe to assume that’s not berry juice. I last saw two Barn Owls in, of all places…a barn.
Lyle, maybe it’s red wine.
Another species I have never seen and must appreciate from photos. A most interesting face…’alien-like’ but also has a touch of sadness about it…perhaps because of it’s deep set eyes. Sorry to hear you do not see them as often anymore. On a different note, I’ve been reading several articles lately documenting the size change in some migratory songbirds and possible reasons and sadly our climate changing seems to have some strange effects for birds.
I’ve been seeing of the same studies and reports, Kathy. It’s disturbing to say the least.
Interesting! Of course, no Barn Owls here, and with the GHO’s I rarely see them with prey in good light – just “assumed” there would be blood as with eagles/hawks etc.! It certainly shows up on the lovely white face…. 😉 Wonderful capture, Ron. 🙂
“no Barn Owls here”
That’s right, Judy. I didn’t know that until we rescued that Barn Owl off of barbed wire in the Centennial Valley a few years ago. That particular owl was one of the very few Barn Owls that had ever been seen in Montana. So I was very happy that after months of rehab that owl was released back into the Centennial Valley.
I think your bird kill explanation seems logical. Have never seen a Barn Owl so have always enjoyed the photos you have for us.
Good. Thanks, Everett.
I am envious. I have literally thousands of Bald Eagle shots. Three Owl. 😉
Thomas, sadly I don’t often see Barn Owls anymore. Another bird species taking a hit I’m afraid…
I snagged a Sharp-Shinned Hawk the other day. Pretty excited about that even though he took off in the wrong direction. Jerk. LOL
I am NOT ready for my close-up, Mr. DeMille!
Too bad, Miss Lamarr. Suck it up, clean off your face and smile!
Hearty LOLs for you both!