There’s nothing quite as magical as locking eyes with a predator in their natural habitat. North Florida has benefited from having a long history of people willing to work to preserve some of our wild spaces, enough of them that we are still able to have that experience once in a while.
The subject that inspired this painting came from one of those serendipitous moments. In our area, we hear the unique “who cooks for you” and caterwauling calls of barred owls frequently and we even see them periodically. But on this occasion the owl and I had an extended moment of connected eye contact. Then after deciding I wasn’t a threat the owl returned her gaze to the ground below.
I took some photos and then continued to observe her while she sat on the branch, looking around, cleaning her feathers, preening her wings, seemingly comfortable with my presence there. I felt such a deep appreciation for my good fortune; so pleased that she didn’t feel threatened enough to fly away; concerned that she probably shouldn’t be so comfortable with a human nearby; sad thinking of how often humans encroach on a wild creature’s space; but grateful that there are enough safe natural spaces in my community to sustain these stunning creatures who play such an important role in our ecosystem.
Featured in The Alachua Conservation Trust’s Goldenrod Gallery 2026. A portion of the proceeds from this sale will go to the Alachua Conservation Trust preservation efforts.
DETAILS
Barred Owl, No. 2
Oil on Canvas
20" x 16" (24 5/8” x 20 5/8” Framed)
Blick Simplon Plein Air Wood Frame, Espresso.
Contact us for international shipping or local delivery options.
There’s nothing quite as magical as locking eyes with a predator in their natural habitat. North Florida has benefited from having a long history of people willing to work to preserve some of our wild spaces, enough of them that we are still able to have that experience once in a while.
The subject that inspired this painting came from one of those serendipitous moments. In our area, we hear the unique “who cooks for you” and caterwauling calls of barred owls frequently and we even see them periodically. But on this occasion the owl and I had an extended moment of connected eye contact. Then after deciding I wasn’t a threat the owl returned her gaze to the ground below.
I took some photos and then continued to observe her while she sat on the branch, looking around, cleaning her feathers, preening her wings, seemingly comfortable with my presence there. I felt such a deep appreciation for my good fortune; so pleased that she didn’t feel threatened enough to fly away; concerned that she probably shouldn’t be so comfortable with a human nearby; sad thinking of how often humans encroach on a wild creature’s space; but grateful that there are enough safe natural spaces in my community to sustain these stunning creatures who play such an important role in our ecosystem.
Featured in The Alachua Conservation Trust’s Goldenrod Gallery 2026. A portion of the proceeds from this sale will go to the Alachua Conservation Trust preservation efforts.
DETAILS
Barred Owl, No. 2
Oil on Canvas
20" x 16" (24 5/8” x 20 5/8” Framed)
Blick Simplon Plein Air Wood Frame, Espresso.
Contact us for international shipping or local delivery options.
