Owillow

The barred owl was perched in the black willow tree overlooking the pond last week as Bear and I finished our walk. When I noticed the owl, I quickly steered Bear up a woodsy path in the direction of the house.

I had not carried my camera along for our walk/run, but I HAD left it on the porch. As soon as he was in the house, I slipped back to the pond with the camera and got a few photos.

The owl was patient for a while, but then he lifted off and swung back into the oaks between the pond and PFHQ. I followed him (on foot) and found him enjoying a preen as the trees around him shook and swayed in brisk winds.

I already had still shots, so I decided to shoot a little video, even though I knew it would most likely consist of staring, blinking, and looking.

Expecting little, I swung the camera up, braced against the nearest amiable tree, and began filming.

For a few seconds, it was just as I suspected ... staring, preening, blinking ... but with a neat breeze that whooshed the fresh green spring foliage and fluffed the owl's feathers.

Then out of nowhere ... ACTION!

And again ... ACTION in an owl video!

It's a cool little video, but Blogger video upload has not been cooperating at all for me lately.

SNORT!!

UPDATE:
FC does an end run around Blooger's foibles and loads the ACTION VIDEO INVOLVING AN OWL at Yo'Tubular!