Had an unfruitful rainy morning looking for a Summer Tanager who is either gone or not wanting to be found. On my way home I turned a corner and a Barred Owl flew to the side of the road in front of me and picked up what looked like nesting materials. Although I was shocked, I reached for my camera -- which was in the back seat. The Owl looked at me for a Bird Moment and then flew in front of my car into a tree about 15 feet into the woods. I pulled off, opened my door as quietly as I could, grabbed the camera and was just aiming when the Owl looked directly at me again and took off further into the woods. So no photo -- but a lovely unexpected gift of an ending to an unproductive morning. For my birder friends -- this happened just after the sharp curve to the north on Moonstone Beach Road. For my non-birder friends, here is a photo I look last year in a nearby wood -- I don't think this Owl was as large, but they look pretty similar.
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