Smokies barred owls

A mild winter evening and I drove up from Asheville for an owl-listening session on one of the lower trails where I’ve had luck with Barred Owls before. Met a friend at the trailhead at 5:45 PM and we walked in about half a mile.

The Barreds started calling at 6:15 PM. Two birds, at least — a duet, then a solo from the other side of the creek. We did not play calls; playing owl calls during breeding season is bad practice and I try to live by it.

At about 6:45 PM one of the birds flew over the trail and perched briefly on a low branch close enough that I got one clean frame at 1/60s and a very high ISO. The bird stared at us for three seconds and flew off in the silent way they always do. That moment is the whole point of going out.

Later we walked along the creek and heard a Screech-Owl (Eastern, whinny variety) and a very distant Great Horned. A deer barked at us at one point. My friend said “that’s the deer” before I could panic.

Walked out under stars. I had kept the camera set for low light the whole time and every frame was something I’ll have to decide about later. One keeper is enough for an owl night.