Barred Owl

The Barred Owl ranged in size from about 24 to 80cm.  We found this one standing in a Cypress Tree shrouded in Spanish Moss in a swamp on Lake Martin, near Lafayette Louisiana.  

We joined a boat tour offered by Cajun Country Swamp Tours, run by Walter “Butch” Guchereau.  There were 6 of us in the boat, including Linda and I.  The operator / guide was Shawn, Butch’s son.  The tour circled the edge of the lake through various swamps among the cypress trees and marshes.  There were quite a few egrets, and herons.  Shawn provided commentary and insight along the tour.  Like all other guides he tried desperately (and successfully) to find us an alligator.  In recognition of his effort I feigned delight over the outcome.  I did take the opportunity to ask about alligator on the menu and he said wild alligator has a very fishy taste and is not good to eat.  What is served in restaurants is from farmed animals that are fed mostly chickens.  

We were close enough to the bird so I could capture it with my 50mm lens, while including the trees, moss and water to get some context.  The backlighting highlights the moss.  I went back and forth on whether to select a shot that had lens flare but in the end pick this one (that does) because it adds an impressionistic element.