An owl with crow problems

[preames]

I was wondering around one of the urban forests in Oklahoma City yesterday lookin for deer and ran across this guy being chased around by a gang of about 2 dozen screaming crows. Even though I know the owl would happily eat one of the crows if given the chance, or their babies, I still kinda felt sorry for him - all that yelling was even getting on my nerves!

The weather was overcast and hazy, and I ony had my 70-200 with me, so the shot's not a great wildlife image, but it was my first owl...and it prompted me to order the Canon 2x teleconverter this afternoon to get a little more reach next time I see one of these guys.

[Wes]

Maybe he DID eat one of their babies, hence all of the chasing and screaming.

[HeatherM]

It's a barred owl, to boot! Good find.

[ttusa]

I've seen large raptors being harrassed by crows and other smaller birds-kinda funny!

[ramblinray]

It isn't a gang. I believe it is a murder. I'm sure if I'm wrong, some will correct me appropriately.
Very nice capture. I've yet to find a barred owl in the wild.
You might try running it through PS for some chromatic aberation correction as the multicolored smaller branches look a little strange.

[srwatters]

Originally Posted by ramblinray

It isn't a gang. I believe it is a murder.

You are indeed correct...

"Well I dreamt I saw you walking up a hillside in the snow
Casting shadows on the winter sky as you stood there, counting crows
One for sorrow, two for joy
Three for girls and four for boys
Five for silver, six for gold
Seven for a secret never to be told."
Counting Crows - A Murder of One
Adam Duritz & Counting Crows

Never miss a chance to quote my favorite band.

And that owl does look suspiciously guilty there...

[labmansid]

Crows are rather notorious for harassing raptors. I've even seen them go after bald eagles. I guess they compete for some of the same foods, and don't like the competition. That owl does look rather pitiful! Nice catch.

[preames]

Thanks everyone for the comments!

I can never get used to calling something a murder - other that what the owl wants to do the crows!

Ray, I think the multicolor branches are an artifact of my boosting the saturation a fair amount in order to try to bring out the crow a bit more. It was fairly hazy so it was all a little washed out.

[lhdvies]

Nice Patrick-My photo banks are still "Owlless"

[preames]

Originally Posted by lhdvies

Nice Patrick-My photo banks are still "Owlless"

Thanks! I can now deposit the owl to my bank that contains mostly pigeons, doves and ducks - I'm sure there has to be something else out there! :)

[Stephen P]

You did a great job pulling that owl out from all those branches. I would love to see more owls.