I've always found owls extremely interesting. They are my favorite type of birds. I have participated in owl monitoring programs, joined group owl prowls, and visited owl banding events, but far and away my favorite way to see them is by locating owls roosting, hunting, or nesting during the day when nice photographs can be obtained with minimal disturbance. I hope these pictures inspire you to search for owls in your own area, but please practice good owl etiquette - don't bother them too often, don't get too close, don't share their location too widely, and there's no need to endlessly play calls. In fact, you don't need calls at all to find them just listen for the owls themselves or mobbing birds.
Let's start with Great Horned Owls. I have seen them nesting in pine trees and in dead tree cavities. The most recent find occurred when I was following their call and came across a deceased bird. While I was looking at the bird I managed to look up and see the owl on nest!
Let's start with Great Horned Owls. I have seen them nesting in pine trees and in dead tree cavities. The most recent find occurred when I was following their call and came across a deceased bird. While I was looking at the bird I managed to look up and see the owl on nest!
Here is a great horned owl from a city park
The barred owl is one of the owls I've randomly come across out and about during the daytime. They seem to be common in swampy areas, but can occur anywhere. I've ever seen them in trees while driving down the highway.
Another owl you can see during daylight hours is the borrowing owl. This one is from Ecuador, but if you're in the United States, don't worry you can see them in many Western states and Florida.
The most beautiful of the owls I've personally seen is the Snowy Owl. Some people say to look for something that looks like a bottle of bleach. In New England where I've looked for them, they come down during the winter. Coastal areas seem to be good places to look.
The Northern Saw-Whet owl is a very attractive, small owl species. I have not looked for these out in the wild yet, but hope to next year. In the meantime, here's a picture I have from one at an owl banding that was caught with a mist net.