Submitted by fiddlersgreen2021 t3_yyl6p9 in vermont
Comments
vermontnative t1_iwwdjyp wrote
Now that's a sweet saw whet 😎
fiddlersgreen2021 OP t1_iwwf4ib wrote
That’s pretty cool to know, just looked them up and they’re definitely one of the calls I’ve heard at night around the house.
casewood123 t1_iwutugh wrote
That camouflage is amazing.
somewhere_in_VT t1_iwuxij7 wrote
r/superbowl material right here
fiddlersgreen2021 OP t1_iwuyv7e wrote
Man I read that as super bowl and not superb owl. Did me a confuse.
somewhere_in_VT t1_iwvmli9 wrote
The fact that it’s not r/ Super Bowl is amazing.
halfbakedblake t1_iwwhugv wrote
Yes the superb owl.
heklakatla t1_iwus7mf wrote
Great shot! Impressive you were able to get so close before he took off.
fiddlersgreen2021 OP t1_iwusgll wrote
Thank you, I was pretty surprised as well, this was taken with my iPhone as I was out following deer tracks. Brought the rifle instead of the DSLR.
Rich_Depth7314 t1_iwwrvhe wrote
They are a boreal species generally, without long evolutionary history alongside humans and are generally unafraid. At times you can walk up to them and pick them off a branch. When you band them, they will happily pose on your shoulder or top of your head and purr when stroked (ok that last part isn't true). Amazingly charismatic critters
heklakatla t1_iwx0j61 wrote
Interesting... So is this guy lost? Blown in with the weather? Or do they move south to VT for the winter?
Rich_Depth7314 t1_iwx79os wrote
They breed in the state, in bogs and higher elevation forests, but their numbers are augmented in winter by birds coming from the north. Their migration was somewhat unknown until just the past few decades. And their feathers glow under a UV light!
fiddlersgreen2021 OP t1_iwx9p68 wrote
Thanks for all of this, the mrs and I have been watching videos about them on YouTube now 😂. I’ll have to check the banding out next year as I’m over that way riding bikes a lot anyway.
Rich_Depth7314 t1_iwxdjv1 wrote
Very cool! You won't regret it!
tr0x t1_iwutlfy wrote
Nice find! Could be a Northern saw-whet.
HawtGarbage917 t1_iwv653i wrote
there really needs to be an owl identification subreddit called r/hooareyou
DrakenGewehr t1_iwv19x7 wrote
Natural camouflage is so wild. Couldn't see him for first couple seconds.
Haltmaw t1_iwureyc wrote
Beautiful!
wasowka t1_iwv04pa wrote
What a wonderful photo. Thank you for sharing.
TillPsychological351 t1_iwv8asz wrote
Good catch!
skiitifyoucan t1_iwvch87 wrote
great shot! i don't know much about owls but have noticed some of them (barred owl???) will just stare back at you from not very far away if they don't fly away first.
Rich_Depth7314 t1_iwwsaiv wrote
Great find! Saw-whets are an amazing little owl and incredibly charismatic. They are also readily captured during migration and are a common research species. I'd encourage folks to check out North Branch Nature Center during their fall saw-whet banding season (unfortunately just wrapped up for 2022). You'll never forget seeing one up close, kids love them, etc
Twombls t1_iwuujhi wrote
I hear these all the time. Never end up spotting them.
mountainofclay t1_iwwlcch wrote
They sound a little like a dump truck backing up.
CodPopular7697 t1_iwux8as wrote
Northern saw whet! Very rare to see