Category Archives: Typical Owls

Eastern Screech Owl, red morph in Milwaukee County Wisconsin on February 21, 2019

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An Eastern Screech Owl enjoying some sunshine in Milwaukee County Wisconsin on February 21, 2019. This beautiful owl was the highlight of the day. Still, in my opinion very quiet in Milwaukee County Parks. A little action around feeders. 1,000’s of ducks along the Milwaukee lakefront, Common Goldeneye, Greater Scaup and some Red-breasted Mergansers in the areas I checked. It was a gorgeous day with plenty of sunshine, low winds, temps around 30 degrees.

Eastern Screech Owl, red morph soaking up some sunshine…

At a long distance…

Great Horned Owls, a Nesting Pair in Milwaukee County Wisconsin on February 14, 2019

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It was nice to come across a pair of nesting Great Horned Owls late morning. The female was on the nest while the male was perched high in a spruce tree about 100 feet away. First nesting pair of the year for me. It was a beautiful day, almost felt like spring. Temps around 40, started out with a little sun but clouded over around noon, low winds.

The female Great Horned Owl on the nest…

The male Great Horned Owl near the nest resting peacefully and watching the area too…

Long-eared Owls in Wisconsin on February 6, 2019

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While out birding I was surprised to come across a Long-eared Owl. It was perched in a tree, it just stared at me like they always do. I quickly took a couple of shots. A few thin branches were between the owl and I, but that is how it goes sometimes. As I was walking away, a glance to the left of the owl, there was another Long-eared Owl. A couple shots of that one and I left the area, the owls still perched as I found them. It was a cloudy gloomy day with a mild breeze, temps around 30 degrees. Images were taken on February 6, 2019.

Long-eared Owl

Binomial name: Asio otus

Category: Typical Owls

Size: 15” long, 36” wing span

Weight: 9 oz

Note: A proficient hunter, the Long-eared Owl catches mice in complete darkness by using sound to locate its prey!

Long-eared Owl, the 2nd one found…

Northern Saw-whet Owl in Wisconsin on January 12, 2019

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On winter days when birding is slow I spend a lot of hours for weeks looking for the Northern Saw-whet Owl. I found this beautiful owl doing just that. I had views for less than 2 minutes before it left the tree. I was looking down at my camera to check the exposure, heard a flutter and had just a glimpse of it flying off. I spent a few minutes quietly looking to an area it went to with no luck. Images were taken on January 12, 2019.

Northern Saw-whet Owl

Northern Saw-whet Owl

Binomial name: Aegolius acadicus

Category: Typical Owls

Size: 8” long, 17” wing span

Weight: 2.8 oz

Cool facts: Smallest owl in North America with a cat like face that is highly nocturnal and seldom seen.

Northern Saw-whet Owl

Northern Saw-whet Owl

Northern Saw-whet Owl

Northern Saw-whet Owl

Great Horned Owls paired up in Milwaukee County Wisconsin on January 20, 2019

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Doing some general birding today I came across a pair of Great Horned Owls out catching some sun in Milwaukee County. It was one of the cold winter days just after some freshly fallen snow with plenty of sunshine, very little wind. It made for a pleasant day for birding. Image was taken on January 20, 2019.

Eastern Screech Owls, 4 in Milwaukee County Wisconsin on December 17-18, 2018

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While out birding the last couple of days I have come across 4 Eastern Screech Owls. These beautiful owls were all found in deciduous trees with the natural cavities facing to the south or southwest. It appeared they were all out in the cavity opening soaking up the warm sun with the nice warm December weather we are having. The 1st image is the Eastern Screech Owl, grey morph that has been seen almost regularly,  but not always at the Schlitz Audubon Nature Center in Milwaukee. The other 3 were also taken in Milwaukee County.

Eastern Screech Owl, grey morph #1 with blood on the bill from a recent meal at the Schlitz Audubon Nature Center

Eastern Screech Owl, red morph #2

Eastern Screech Owl, red morph #3

Eastern Screech Owl, red morph #4

Eastern Screech Owl, red morph #4

Eastern Screech Owl in Milwaukee County Wisconsin on December 10, 2018

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Nice to see this Eastern Screech Owl in Milwaukee County while out birding. The owl gave nice views but never opened its eyes while I was there. Just looking cozy up in a natural cavity. It was a beautiful morning out with plenty of sunshine and mild temps. Images were taken on December 10, 2018.

Eastern Screech Owl, red morph

Eastern Screech Owl at the Schlitz Audubon Nature Center on November 14, 2018

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I decided to make a run up to the Schlitz Audubon Nature Center this morning in search for any owl species. Walking a trail there I spotted this beautiful gray morph sound a sleep. It was a chilly 12 degrees when I left for birding but with full sun and no wind, it was a very pleasant day to be out. First owl of the season for me, it was nice to see one again. Images were taken on November 14, 2018.

A sleeping Eastern Screech Owl, gray morph…

At a distance…

Eastern Screech-Owl in Southeastern Wisconsin on April 29, 2018

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While out birding I came across a Eastern Screech-Owl sitting in a natural cavity. The owl sat there not doing much but was keeping track of a couple of Grey Squirrels that caught its attention. I will say it is the year of the Eastern Screech-Owl, this is the 5th different one I have seen. It was another cool day with temps in the upper 50’s midday, with plenty of sun but with an east wind made for a chilly day for this time of year. Images were taken on April 29, 2018.

Eastern Screech-Owl resting peacefully in a natural cavity…

Eyes on a Grey Squirrel a tree away…

Looking out yonder…

Looking below at another Grey Squirrel…

Great Horned Owl with Owlets in Southeastern Wisconsin on April 27, 2018

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While out birding this morning along the lakefront in Milwaukee I received a tip of Great Horned Owl with 3 owlets. Birding was a little slow along the lakefront where I was with nothing really going on so I made the drive to check these cuties out. When I arrived there were 3 owlets in a row on one limb. The adult female stopped in a couple times to check on the little ones but did not hang around. I’m not sure how old these owlets are but I’m sure they will be flying some soon and spreading out in the tree some too. It was a nice opportunity to see the first owlets of the spring. It was a bright sunny day with little wind but chilly at first. Images were taken on April 27, 2018.

The 3 Great Horned Owl owlets…

The one on the right is looking at the adult female off in a tree…

Great Horned Owl, adult female off a ways in a tree…

Great Horned Owl, adult female…

Just a pair cuddled up…

Eastern Screech Owl in Milwaukee County Wisconsin on March 10, 2018

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Nice to see this Eastern Screech Owl in Milwaukee County. The owl came up from in the hole and gave nice views but never opened its eyes while I was there. Just looking cozy up in a natural cavity. It was a beautiful morning out with plenty of sunshine and mild temps. Images were taken on March 10, 2018.

Barred Owl in Milwaukee County Wisconsin on February 18, 2018

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While birding today in Milwaukee County I discovered a Barred Owl resting on a limb. Nice to see them just relaxing in their space and blending in with the surroundings. I took a few shots and left the area. A beautiful February day with full sun and mild temps in the 30’s with low winds. Images were taken on February 18, 2018.

Eastern Screech Owl in Milwaukee County Wisconsin on February 14, 2018

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Doing some birding today in Milwaukee County I came across a Eastern Screech Owl, gray phase. It was resting in a natural captivity. After a couple minutes I looked again, and it was gone, probably went back in the hole. Almost felt like spring with plenty of sunshine and the warm temps around 40, next to no wind, very pleasant. Images were taken on February 14, 2018.

Northern Saw-whet Owl in Milwaukee County Wisconsin on January 19, 2018

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The last few weeks I looked extensively for the elusive Northern Saw-whet Owl. Recently while out birding, I was checking out some more trees. I was excited to find a fresh pellet on the ground, then a short distance away, a cute Northern Saw-whet Owl was staring at me. I have never seen a Northern Saw-whet Owl before, captive or wild so this was a real treat and a life bird too. Not moving much, I put my camera up, took a few shots of this beautiful owl. I would tell anyone who asks, how do you find a Northern Saw-whet Owl? Look in the pine trees around you. You just might be surprised to find one like I was and be rewarded too with a photo. A mostly cloudy day, temps in the mid 40’s, with steady winds.

Northern Saw-whet Owl

Northern Saw-whet Owl

Binomial name: Aegolius acadicus

Category: Typical Owls

Size: 8” long, 17” wing span

Weight: 2.8 oz

Cool facts: Smallest owl in North America with a cat like face that is highly nocturnal and seldom seen.

Northern Saw-whet Owl

Northern Saw-whet Owl

Northern Saw-whet Owl

Northern Saw-whet Owl

Northern Saw-whet Owl

Northern Saw-whet Owl

Northern Saw-whet Owl

Northern Saw-whet Owl

Northern Saw-whet Owl

The found pellet…

Long-eared Owls in Milwaukee County Wisconsin on January 8, 2018

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I came upon some Long-eared Owls today while birding in Milwaukee County. They gave nice views from a distance. It was an extremely cold day with temps in the lower teens for highs, some good winds, made it feel like arctic circle. Images were taken on January 8, 2018.

Long-eared Owl

Binomial name: Asio otus

Category: Typical Owls

Size: 15” long, 36” wing span

Weight: 9 oz