We were doing a staff hike on Wednesday to check out the awesome view at Snyder Point, across the Pine Creek Gorge from Barbour Rocks, when, on our way back a Barred Owl flew up ahead of us. It was in the dense hemlock forest, so we slowly snuck up closer. We came around a tree limb that was hiding it, and there it was, sitting on a limb about 30 feet away. The owl watched us and we watched it for several minutes. Their huge head with the facial discs and big gentle-looking eyes are always impressive, although Barred Owls are definitely not gentle with their prey. They’re one of the fiercest and most effective avian predators in our forests, capable of killing a full-grown Wild Turkey.
When we were done photographing the owl, we continued out. It’s hard to walk away from a spectacle like that. I hate to overuse our saying, but, truly, “once in a lifetime happens everyday.” This was a first time sighting of Barred Owl for one of our hikers that day - one she won’t soon forget.
~ Merlin Benner
