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Wednesday, April 10, 2013

Barn Owl in my garden

Although I've posted about the sighting of the Barn Owl which roosts in a tree above our shamba before,  I didn't manage very good photos. A few days after the first sighting, we all spotted said owl on the branch above us again. 

 Barn Owl in my garden

 A large flashlight trained on the owl doesn't frighten it like a small handheld torch


Last night I went outside after dark and tried to see if the owl had arrived. Marnitz' powerful torch hadn't been charged, so he couldn't help me. While we stood looking upwards I heard a loud screeching "shreeee". Within seconds I saw first one owl alight on the branch and a little higher on another, a smaller bird landed. I tried to flash it with my little handheld torch and although I managed to see both owls, the light scared them and they both flew off.

The Barn Owl is a medium-sized, pale owl with golden buff and grey upper parts. It has a heart-shaped facial disc and off-white underparts.  The Barn Owl's habitat varies from woodland to desert but avoids dense forests. It also roosts in old buildings, in caves, hollow trees and in suburban gardens such as mine!

I'm linking my bird post to Stewart blog, Wild Bird Wednesday which you can access here

I hope you're all having a wonderful week.

6 comments:

  1. Great photos, Jo! He's a beauty.

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  2. Oh, how exciting to have owls so close to you! I can only wish . . .

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  3. Great captures. How delightful to have an owl hanging about.

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  4. I have never seen an owl outside, only in a zoo ! When they have their eyes wide open they remind me Rosie !

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  5. I've been away for a couple of days just hasn't had a chance to catch up with everybody's blogs yet. I know people are superstitious about owls in the garden, but I would love to have a pair live close to my place.

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  6. Great shots of the owl, Jo. I love their white and very wise-looking faces.

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