July 8, 2018

The Blob


Driving down a fairly deserted gravel road deep in swamp country near the Everglades, I spotted this  brown blob in the middle of the road, which hadn't been there 15 minutes earlier.  My first thought was...BABY GATOR!   But, as I got closer, it didn't move.  So, then, I thought it was a small pile of palm fronds.  No...and...no!  It was a barred OWL -- just sitting there.  Naturally, the Junior Editor and I  suspected it was hurt and immediately started contemplating how we could rescue it, once we pulled off the road.  Moments after turning off the car engine, this happened.... 

(Click play.  The video will play.  There just isn't a thumbnail preview.)



The owl flew a short distance to a tree...apparently not injured at all!  So, I scrambled to get out the 'ol Canon.

Barred Owl

I successfully snapped this one quick shot before -- of all things -- a dump truck rumbled by and scared it away. (Odd seeing the owl sitting in the road...and odd for a dump truck to be there in the middle of nowhere -- although the crew was making some needed repairs to the gravel road.)  Fascinating encounter!  Wish we could've had more time with the owl, but happy the SDP team was able to document this activity.  Hope everyone is doing well in the Blogosphere!

7 comments:

Nancy J said...

So good you arrived before the dump truck,What a wonderful occasion, and the team did well to get a video and a still.

Lorraine said...

Wow! Maybe the owl was in the road because it saw a snake there or some other small prey. Yesterday morning, my dog and I came face to face with a very large armadillo on our front lawn. It was quite startling and of course I had all to do to control my dog who pulled so hard, I nearly fell on my butt. She went nuts. Ah, wildlife! I'm still hoping to spot an owl in the daytime.

William Kendall said...

Quite a bird!

Brian King said...

Beautiful owl! Glad it was only faking!

PerthDailyPhoto said...

That's the problem with owls that land to catch their prey, really unusual in the daylight though! What an experience SRQ, and you got the shot.. brilliant!

Kay said...

Great sighting! Lucky you! We saw a hawk dive down into a field today. As we drove by I saw its wing stretched out beside it (and then it pulled it back in). I wonder if birds don't occasionally just want to do a birdish version of downward dog and take a good yoga stretch. Do you think that might be in "The Sibley Guide to Bird Life and Behavior??"

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