Wednesday, 19 April 2017

Wild Bird Wednesday 247 - Indian Scops Owl (and a very annoying stick)

We head back to India for WBW this week, with an Indian Scops Owl (Otus bakkamoena) almost showing well.  This is a common enough owl in India, butI was still really pleased to see it.  This bird was roosting in a tree in Sultanpur National Park.

What was rather frustrating is that the tree was growing right next to a wall and I was unable to get a clear shot of the bird without the stick being in view.  If I moved away from the wall I had to photograph through a thicket of smaller branches.  All that being said I still like these images as they carry a sense of the reality that we face when trying to photograph birds!

The Indian Scops Owl is small by owl standards - about 25cm long - but it is one of the largest Scops Owls known.  In these pictures you can see the 'ear tufts' which are characteristic of Scops Owls.









I'm back in the saddle at work this week - catching up from a week off.  Wish me luck!

As ever, you can join in with WBW by clicking on the link below:

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34 comments:

  1. NatureFootstep19 April 2017 at 03:07

    lol, happens a lot, doesn´t it? Sticks always in the wrong place. Especially in front of the eye. :) Nice owl though :)

    Thanks for hosting :)

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  2. Sharon Wagner19 April 2017 at 04:02

    I've been photographing baby great horned owls this spring. I have the same problem. But what a lovely problem that flowering tree was.

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  3. Phil Slade19 April 2017 at 04:26

    Sorry Stewart. i had to laugh if just a little. Mainly because we have all been there. Not to worry you did get some cracking shots that show how difficult Scops' are to locate.

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  4. Findlay Wilde19 April 2017 at 04:32

    The owl looks amazing even with the sticks.You really make me want to travel.

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  5. Kenneth Cole Schneider19 April 2017 at 04:51

    So true, Stewart! With me it is the warbler whose face or head markings are essential to identification and either are hidden by the foliage or (worse) the bird is in plain sight but insists on facing away. Indeed, your owl is in perfect focus despite the stick and the shots angled through the small branches are actually quite good.

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  6. Gordon19 April 2017 at 05:04

    Bird photography can be tough at times, been there got the t-shirt etc, but hay you still got it to look back on.
    All the best Gordon.

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  7. Brian King19 April 2017 at 05:42

    LOL! He was hiding! Beautiful owl!

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  8. Valerie19 April 2017 at 07:35

    What a sweet creature - the vertical positioning of its legs does look very uncomfortable however! Thank you for sharing and hosting Stewart and every good wish for settling back into the working environment!

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  9. Gayle19 April 2017 at 08:08

    The stick didn't keep it from snoozing. Owls are fascinating.

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  10. A Colorful World19 April 2017 at 08:57

    I really love these photos, with the owl snuggling against the branches to be safe, I suppose while it rests, and the beautiful flowers all around it. Really stunning!

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  11. Anu19 April 2017 at 15:24

    Well, I like these photos. It looks like the owl will hide behind the branch, but that owl doesn’t know that the branch is too thin - Or the owl is too fat ;)
    Beatiful owl!

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  12. Margaret Birding For Pleasure19 April 2017 at 16:04

    Yes branches can be frustrating but we can see the beautiful Owl. Thanks for hosting Stewart and have a good week ahead.

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  13. Diane19 April 2017 at 17:45

    Ha ha the owl obviously did not want to be photographed so was in hiding! Great shots considering. Cheers Diane

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  14. Richard Pegler19 April 2017 at 18:57

    Any sticks can be forgiven when an owl is the subject of a set of images, Stewart. This is a great set, and it's a real privilege to see images of an owl that I will never encounter in the wild. Thank you!

    With best wishes from UK - - Richard

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  15. Andrea @ From The Sol19 April 2017 at 22:56

    Scops Owl? That is our Gray Morph Screech Owl ... or so it would seem. T,hey look exactly like your owl, color and all. I am guessing they are related. Of course you know I would love an Owl. I wouldn't be a bit surprised if you thought of me as you snapped this picture ... an owl for an owl, so to speak. Great pictures and when you see an owl, you take the picture with or without a branch in the middle :) Have a great week, Stewart ... now I am off to take care of some raptors, including a gray Screech Owl :)

    Andrea @ From The Sol

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  16. Author R. Mac Wheeler19 April 2017 at 23:34

    The fellow just didn't want to pose nice, did he!

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  17. Lea19 April 2017 at 23:43

    Good photos anyway!
    I rarely see owls here, though I hear them at night.

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  18. Linda W.20 April 2017 at 00:15

    It's like that owl was deliberately hiding behind that stick! Must've been camera-shy.

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  19. photodoug20 April 2017 at 01:17

    Stewart, hidden but not invisible. Thanks for sharing.

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  20. Liz20 April 2017 at 04:10

    Gorgeous shots of the owl, Stewart! I am yet to photograph (or see) an owl in the wild!

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  21. This N That20 April 2017 at 07:01

    HA!!! Annoying indeed...I just love Owls..If I ever see an owl, I'll take it's picture stick or no stick...

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  22. Anonymous20 April 2017 at 07:30

    Oh you are soooo lucky to have shots of this beauty in it's natural habitat, Stewart!!! I have never been able to get pix of an Owl!!!...:)JP

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  23. Dave20 April 2017 at 11:18

    Great shots Stewart!
    I've always liked to get some vegetation in my photos. It gives them a better sense of location and habitat.

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  24. TheChieftess20 April 2017 at 11:34

    He's quite a handsome owl!

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  25. Linda20 April 2017 at 13:09

    He was hiding, but not effectively. Thanks for hosting.

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  26. Lady Fi23 April 2017 at 15:35

    Wow - brilliant shots! (Despite the pesky branch...)

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  27. Sallie (FullTime-Life)23 April 2017 at 22:11

    Wonderful owl -- the stick doesn't disguise him at all. What a great find. Those first few days back on the job probably make you wonder for a short while whether the time off was worth it. But then you know better!

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  28. Vineeta Yashsavi24 April 2017 at 18:37

    Beautiful bird...

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  29. Bob Bushell24 April 2017 at 19:36

    Fantastic bird, hiding.

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  30. David M. Gascoigne,24 April 2017 at 21:36

    The stick may have annoyed you, Stewart, but kudos to you for not removing it.

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  31. Lee24 April 2017 at 22:20

    Oh! How absolutely wonderful! So beautiful! Your photos have brought a smile to my face...thank you! :)

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  32. Inspired By June27 April 2017 at 04:19

    His markings are beautiful! Love that dark stripe. Even the stick couldn't hide this great owl - nicely done, Stewart!

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  33. Pat Tillett27 April 2017 at 09:33

    He looks sleepy!
    It sure is a different look from the owls I've seen.
    Very nice...

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  34. Mary Howell Cromer27 April 2017 at 09:46

    Oh it is lovely as well. Don't you just want to tell them to move that branch away for a minute...LOL I am following the Red-Shouldered Hawk nest and it is right in the heart of the woods with so many branches,,,not sure what i will get as it progresses~

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