Screech Owlets

Vampire Owlet!

• Hello friends! Sorry its been such a long time since I've posted. I haven't been shooting lately, so I have had nothing to post. Luckily I was inspired by a friends tip that there were 5 Eastern Screech Owlets about 50 miles away. I couldn't resist! I set off a few days ago in search of these creatures and found the area. They were on private land, so I asked for permission and was allowed access. It took awhile to find them, but once I did, I gasped at the sight of them. How lucky I was to see something so rare! They were lined up on 1 branch and I had too much lens! Damn, I didn't bring anything smaller! I made due, and here they are! Not completely shown, but 5 grey morph screech owlets side by side.    
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• Here is Dad 
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•  Mom was above dad, but too hidden for decent photos.

American Golden Plover - Lifer!

Such an interesting looking bird! I was lucky enough to catch this guy in a flooded area as he migrated through! A lifer for me!

Barred Owlet

Barred Owlet, originally uploaded by Hannibals Animals.

Sometimes a not-so-productive day of wildlife/birding turns around so quickly, just as you are about to call it a day, and today was one of those days. I was leaving my spot after about an hour of boring tree time. I just stared up at the tops of trees, looking for some movement, and nothing was happening. I decided to leave the area when all of a sudden I hear an interesting sound close by. I can't describe the "squawk", but I knew it was a larger throat making that sound. I knew I could not leave until I found the source and scanned the trees & ground.
After a bit of zeroing in on the direction, I see a glimpse of a large wing. I knew immediately that it was the local Barred Owl, and it struck me that just maybe it was with it's owlet. I've never seen a wild barred owlet before so this was gonna be good! I finally spotted them both and the parent flew off. Low and behold, I finally get my barred owlet! And here it is! What a day this turned out to be! You just never know...

Meet Fiona (my new granddaughter)

Meet Fiona (my new granddaughter), originally uploaded by Hannibals Animals.

I don't normally post "people" pics, but this one is quite special! Baby Fiona was such a great lil model that I had to share this creation with everyone. This is the Birth Announcement I created today after a wonderful photo session, where she couldn't have been any cuter...This photographer couldn't be any happier to announce the arrival of such a precious baby girl to our family!

Moon Units

I found these guys simply adorable!

Killdeer chicks facts: Baby birds that hatch with their running shoes on are called precocial. Precocial means "ripened beforehand." (The word comes from the same Latin source as "precocious.")

Leucy - Leucistic Red-tailed Hawk

This extremely elusive Leucistic Red-tailed Hawk was caught off guard while I finally got to take aim at semi-close range. It always flushes, but not too quick today! I love his wing pattern which seems so symetrical for a leucy...

NOTE: Alot of us locals know about the leucistic red-tailed hawk ("Whitey") in Channahon IL which has been photo'd by many. This one is about 20-ish miles from him.

Leucism is a condition characterized by reduced pigmentation in animals. Unlike albinism, it is caused by a reduction in all types of skin pigment, not just melanin.

Barred Owl

Barred Owl, originally uploaded by Hannibals Animals.

This resident of a local forest who I haven't seen in a few months surprised me today with a visit. It is usually quite tolerant of me and my gear, but this time only stayed for a few clicks. I was lucky enough for him to pose in a clearing under overcast skies but the lighting seemed quite perfect. Full frame cropped to vertical and only minimal sharpening.