Barred Owl Fledglings at Miner’s Cove

I finally saw the young Barred Owls at Miner’s Cove on May 13. I had been arriving before sunrise for several mornings, hoping they would show.

The light was poor, and the sky was overcast. Still, watching one of the adults bring food to them made the morning worth it.

Young Barred Owls at Miner’s Cove

I have been photographing the adult Barred Owls for several weeks at Miner’s Cove. Miner’s Cove is inside Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge in Oklahoma.

The adults had been nesting nearby. After the young owls fledged, the adults were still busy catching food around the cove.

I had already written about the adults catching crayfish for their young here: Barred Owl Hunting Crayfish at Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge

I knew from others that there were two young owls. I just had not seen them myself until this morning.

When it got light enough to see, I spotted both fledglings perched together. A short time later, one of the adults brought food to them.

I also got a photo of one parent with both fledglings feeding on what looked like a young muskrat. I cannot say for certain what it was, but that is what it appeared to be.

Photographing Barred Owl Fledglings in Dim Light

This was a rough morning for photography. I was there before sunrise, and the overcast sky made the light even worse.

I started with a few videos because I did not have enough light for decent still photos. Once the light improved a little, I was able to get a few images.

I photographed from my truck using a beanbag draped over the window. That gave me enough support for the long lens in the low light.

Camera settings for Photo 2:

• Camera: Canon EOS R5 Mark II
• Lens: Canon RF 200-800mm F6.3-9 IS USM
• Focal length: 800 mm
• Aperture: f/10
• Shutter speed: 1/200 second
• ISO: 5000
• Exposure compensation: +1/3
• Support: Beanbag draped over truck window
• Date and Time: May 13, 2026, at 06:35 A.M.

It was not the kind of morning that gives you clean light and sharp detail. The conditions were working against me from the start.

But I was still glad to be there.

Seeing the two fledglings together, then watching an adult bring food to them, made this one of those mornings I will remember. The photos may not be perfect, but the moment was worth the effort.