PHOTOS: Barred owls prevalent this summer at the Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge

[Jackie Orsulak]

According to a release from the Coastal Wildlife Refuge Society, barred owls have been frequently spotted exhibiting their diurnal nature on the Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge this summer, as they have been frequently seen throughout the day.

Not only do they pick easy-to-see perching locations, but they also spend a good amount of time on the ground, and that sometimes includes in the middle of the road, as seen in the photo below captured by Jackie Orsulak.

The pictured owl is either be taking a dust bath, sunning themselves, or both. Those activities are feather maintenance behaviors and are quite common in a variety of birds. [Jackie Orsulak]

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