OTUS BAKKAMOENAIndian Scops Owl Photography
My first encounter with an Indian Scops Owl came in 2023 during a business trip to India, when I was fortunate enough to add a couple of days of wildlife photography at Pench National Park. Tigers and Leopards were the main reason for visiting, but it didn't take long for the owls to make an appearance.
When I arrived at the hotel on the edge of the jungle, one of the first things the host said to me was, “I hear you like owls – come with me.” Just outside the hotel reception, tucked beneath one of the roof rafters, was an Indian Scops Owl quietly roosting. Apparently it was a regular visitor to the spot, sometimes joined by a second bird.
Over the following two days on safari, our guide found several more Scops Owls, including birds using tree cavities. Their superb camouflage makes them remarkably difficult to pick out amongst the trees, so having someone who knew where to look made for some memorable encounters.
The gallery below brings together some of my favourite Indian Scops Owl images from Pench National Park, all photographed ethically and without baiting.
