Is this an owl? (1 Viewer)

[zazybear]

Was paddling on the Rideau River in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada on July 02, 2023, caught this image and then enlarged and enhanced it with gamma & contrast. Wow, I seemed to have caught a huge owl quite early in the morning, almost 8 am! This was a monster comparing to most other birds that I' d normally came across in this area such as red wing, or even heron. It let me take one shot any then flew away. My first time ever since paddling on this river a few years ago. Please confirm for me, anyone? Thanks a lot. Is my life coming to a crossroads, I'm not superstitious, but....?

 

[connorco]

Yup, Great Horned Owl. Welcome to BirdForum!

 

[delia todd]

Hi zazybear and a warm welcome to you from all the Staff and Moderators.

I'm sure you will enjoy it here and I look forward to hearing your news.

 

[KC Foggin]

It sure is an Owl!

 

[zazybear]

Yup, Great Horned Owl. Welcome to BirdForum!

Thank you very much indeed! Is it supposed to come out this early in the morning, or it was here to warn me of some danger ahead?

 

[nartreb]

Most North American owls spend the daylight hours tucked against a tree trunk, trying to be invisible. This one may have been dislodged by other birds (most birds who discover an owl will chase it away, since it's a threat to them and their young) and hiding temporarily in the willow.
Or it may still have been hunting. This time of year in Ontario, an owl who only hunts in the dark is severely limiting its hours.

Is my life coming to a crossroads, I'm not superstitious, but....?

Yes, you are.

 

[01101001]

A very beautiful owl and a great find! I think it might bring you some luck in your future outdoor endeavours.

Is my life coming to a crossroads

The birding-gods calling you to embrace your (not-so-) new hobby? If so, you'd better follow their advice...

 

[zazybear]

Most North American owls spend the daylight hours tucked against a tree trunk, trying to be invisible. This one may have been dislodged by other birds (most birds who discover an owl will chase it away, since it's a threat to them and their young) and hiding temporarily in the willow.
Or it may still have been hunting. This time of year in Ontario, an owl who only hunts in the dark is severely limiting its hours.


Yes, you are.

Thank you very much for your reply and insight.

 

[maplekong]

You are so lucky! Owls are such majestic creatures.

 

[zazybear]

A very beautiful owl and a great find! I think it might bring you some luck in your future outdoor endeavours.


The birding-gods calling you to embrace your (not-so-) new hobby? If so, you'd better follow their advice...

Thanks. I followed the birding-call and on July 04, in the same area, caught images of what looked like a green heron. So exciting! Forgive my poor eyesight, but it seemed to have a strange way of grapping onto the branch it was resting on: one claw hooking up and the other hooking down?!!!

 

[01101001]

I've never seen that, too!

 

[zazybear]

My eyes and brain's interpretation of the photo was that the right claw wraps upwards (uncommon) while the left claw wraps downwards on the branch (that's the normal/most common way seen). Might be an illusion on my part? OMG, I'm seeing things!

 

[maplekong]

I see it too

 

[01101001]

I don't know, I guess we're all in the same boat. 🤷‍♂️🤪

 

[nartreb]

Herons have three toes pointing forward, one backward. I think both feet are facing forward normally. You really can't tell which toe is which in these photos.

 

[Butty]

...and birds can't rotate their legs.

This section of this post has, unfortunately, been duplicated in a separate post, and it has also been answered there:
Post in thread 'This looked like a green heron, please confirm, thanks.' This looked like a green heron, please confirm, thanks.

 

[zazybear]

...and birds can't rotate their legs.

This section of this post has, unfortunately, been duplicated in a separate post, and it has also been answered there:
Post in thread 'This looked like a green heron, please confirm, thanks.' This looked like a green heron, please confirm, thanks.

Hi Butty, please show me how how to delete duplicated posts or remove the duplicating sections. Thanks. I need step by step instructions. I'm not very technically savvy. Very much appreciated.

 

[Butty]

Best left now.