Are owls groggy when they wake up? That’s the question I have been pondering after spotting a Barred Owl at Mead Botanical Garden in Winter Park.
On a recent late afternoon while coming home from the office, I decided to drop by and see what I might find at Mead. I didn’t have seeing this sleepy owl on my list of expectations, but that’s part of the wonderful surprises you can get at the urban oasis.
I think the nocturnal Barred Owl was just waking up and preparing for an evening of hunting. I guess because it had been sleeping, it decided to limber up with some stretches – something probably not uncommon but also nothing I had ever seen before. It was interesting to see the owl stretch its legs, wings and neck.
While the owl was the most interesting bird I saw, there were a few others I managed to photograph as well.
Barred Owl, Mead Garden in Winter Park, October 2025.Barred Owl stretching, Mead Garden in Winter Park, October 2025.Barred Owl stretching, Mead Garden in Winter Park, October 2025.Barred Owl stretching, Mead Garden in Winter Park, October 2025.Barred Owl stretching, Mead Garden in Winter Park, October 2025.Barred Owl stretching, Mead Garden in Winter Park, October 2025.Barred Owl stretching, Mead Garden in Winter Park, October 2025.Barred Owl, Mead Garden in Winter Park, October 2025.Red-shouldered Hawk, Mead Garden in Winter Park, October 2025.Red-shouldered Hawk, Mead Garden in Winter Park, October 2025.Tufted Titmouse, Mead Garden in Winter Park, October 2025.Downy Woodpecker, Mead Garden in Winter Park, October 2025.Downy Woodpecker, Mead Garden in Winter Park, October 2025.Male Downy Woodpecker, Mead Garden in Winter Park, October 2025.
I saw my first Eastern Towhee at the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge back in March, but I’ve seen many more send then at the UCF Arboretum. The scrub bush landscape there is perfect for these colorful orange and black birds.
