Barred Owl (Strix varia) - 16Mar2016

This is the owl that everyone knows mainly due to it's call.  "Who....who cooks for you...."  In Wilmington, year after year they nest and live on Burnt Mill Creek.  I understand the large trees and creek habitat but not the high population density of humans.  Barred Owls are quite shy in other places which makes them hard to get a good look at, but at Burnt Mill Creek and also some other select urban environments in NC they are very accommodating.  Hopefully they will continue to thrive in this type of environment because it is the type of environment expanding more than any other.