A treetop conversation

In this photo a barred owl seems to be whispering a secret to a small blue-gray gnatcatcher.

Minutes earlier I was photographing the barred owl and spooked it from its perch. There had been no blue-gray gnatcatcher present. The owl flew only a short distance and landed on a limb. I watched and observed what looked like a butterfly flying around the owl's head. Approaching carefully, I realized what I thought was a butterfly was in reality a blue-gray gnatcatcher that was repeatedly diving in and out, quietly attacking the owl's head.

At one point the tiny bird actually landed on the owl's back and stayed for a few seconds, but I could not get that photo because of tiny limbs mostly obstructing the view. I moved for a better perspective and was rewarded with this photo only moments before the owl once again flew.

It is common for crows, blue jays and even Carolina chickadees to noisily harass owls in the woods. This was the first time I ever witnessed a blue-gray gnatcatcher doing it. Possibly the gnatcatcher was building a nest nearby and the owl had entered its territory. Both these fascinating birds are native to North America.