Sneaking a Peek - Barred Owlet

[Marina Scarr]

One of my neighbor's very young, rambunctious barred owlets fell or jumped off of its nest box for the second time in one day. The first time it appeared unharmed and was returned. The second time it was seen waddling, so the vet was called. While waiting, we were able to take a few images of it peering through the vegetation.

It was eventually determined by the vet that Olivia (who turned out to be a little girl based upon her weight) had a broken leg. She was taken to Save All Birds in Wimauma, FL and subsequently underwent 2 surgeries (pin placement & later removal) by Dr. Pete @ Busch Gardens Animal Care Center. Once she was able to fly and independently feed, Olivia was returned and released on my neighbor's property to join her sibling Oscar where they continue to reside with their parents.


I love stories with happy endings like this. Please remember that your local rescue and rehab facilities do a lot of great work and need our help.

Thanks in advance for your comments and critiques. This is not one of my typical images, so I'd be happy for everyone's opinions and input.

Canon 1D4, Canon 500L & 1.4
F9, 1/200sec, ISO 800, manual mode
Feisol tripod, Jobu head

[Karl Egressy]

Great store and a nice close up of the little injured one, Marina.

[Binu John]

Beautiful shot and wonderful story, Marina! Love the way you framed it and the oof leaf in the foreground!

[Ian Wilson]

I think the charm of this image is precisely because it is not one of your usual images, or of anyone else for that matter! I think it works very well with the oof leaves in the foreground, they are what make it different, a brilliant concept. Love the back-story too. Regards, Ian.

[William Dickson]

Different Marina, but, very nice. I like it a lot :S3:

[Stu Bowie]

Hi Marina, great story, and I like this that the eye is peering through in between two leaves, and most of the beak is visible too.

[Daniel Cadieux]

Great story for sure, and I really like the accompanying image. Carefully framed between the fern leaves. I like the head angled up as if wishing to get back from where it came from.