Cherish is my favorite word, and I cherish the ability of turning the routine into a beautiful moment.
Nature creates in me, a spiritual and meditative time to bring peace, harmony and balance, into an otherwise ordinary day~
Mary Howell Cromer







Sunday, January 12, 2014

In Search of a Barred Owl~




Hi there. 
Can you see the Barred Owl in the upper image?
At first we thought that it was not on it's favorite perch and then when I backed up and looked through one of the tree holes, there it was ;)
EXCITING!!!
This week I had the extreme pleasure of meeting up with 2 birding ladies that know their stuff...I learned so much. 
I was on the hunt to view and photograph my favorite Owl around these parts, the Barred Owl. 
Of course I still dream one day of viewing and photographing a Great Gray Owl, but not for now. 
When my husby and I had our Federal permit to rehab and release Raptors, we took care of a single Barred Owl during that time, and I fell in love with that species...what beauties they are. 
That was back in the late 1970's, early 80's and would you believe in all of my nature walks, I have never gotten to see one since...until this past Friday. 
Yikes, I was so thrilled!!!
I will not do a whole lot of writing this evening, but allow you to view these images as I saw the scenes on my walk. 
I hope that each of you will enjoy them as much as I enjoyed sharing them.
Hoping that everyone who comes to view will have a wonderful week. 


Remember to double click on the image, to view a larger slide show of the images shared

   
 I will also be linking up with Mary at:

"Mosaic Monday"


at:
 

As well as I am linking up with Stewart at:
   Wild Bird Wednesday
(http://paying-ready-attention-gallery.blogspot.com.au/)


 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


Next week... a chance meeting with a fellow blogger, Canada Geese, assorted migrating ducks and still hoping a few shares of Sandhill Cranes. 
Maybe if I write it and speak those words out loud;) , it will happen, at least I can hope~ 

Hmm, I thought that I saw a Zebra, but no matter which way I turned it, it was still a Horse...just a matter of how you look at things, I guess. 
Have a happy~ 
 

38 comments:

  1. ha ha on the zebra. i loved the barreds, too. such cute little owls they are.

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  2. This is my first look at a barred owl, great capture Mary. The zebra print coat on the horse is quite fashionable.
    Judith

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  3. Very nice collages/photos, but the Owl is my favorite!

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  4. I love all the hide-and-seek shots with the owl - so beautiful, so unblinking and serious-looking!

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  5. always wonderful to visit your corner of the world Mary. That owl certainly seems to be looking at you intently as if to say "how many more photos are you going to take".

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  6. Wow, what an amazing experience - he is a very handsome bird and I must admit I have never heard of one let alone seen a photo of one so thank you for sharing the experience. How wonderful to have them living to close to you. We have Tawney's, Little Owl's and Barn owls over here and that's about it. I would dearly love to see an Eagle Owl but they are rare and mostly up in Scotland - far too far away for us!

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  7. Cute shots of the Owl, Mary! Lovely photos and mosaics! Have a happy week!

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  8. Amazing you found the owl and it had been so many years … and some new bird friends who taught you some things. Wonderful things happen along life's way, don't they? Wonderful images again! And love the horse with the zebra blanket!

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  9. How exciting for you to capture the barred owl after so many years have passed. It really is sweet up in it's tree hole. Love your photos and collages today and the 'zebra' is a real surprise. :) Have a wonderful week ahead. Blessings, Pamela

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  10. It was fun meeting you and sandy watching the geese flock in. Of course I enjoy all the photos but my favorite on this post is the birdhouse.

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  11. Hi Mary,
    That owl is sumptuous and you caught it well. I love your zebra too ;-)

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  12. Beautiful owl! I have yet to photograph one. Actually, it's been a while since I've seen an owl.

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  13. Not only did you find the owl but he/she posed perfectly peeping out from the tree. It was almost like the owl thought "Now which is my best profile for this lady trying to show me at my best?"
    The "zebra" might catch a few people out until they looked more closely.

    Like you we are having lots of grey days and birds are hard to find, even more so to photograph at the moment. A few snatches of bird song though and they know it will soon be spring. Off to Spain this week.

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  14. Thank you Phil, I got your very kind comment. Have a great week in Spain...so jeaolous, well a little bit so ;)

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  15. Mary, I am so thrilled for you!! How long you had waited to meet up with the Barred Owl, and then, fate smiled on you and granted you its presence/presents!;-D I can feel your excitement and it is definitely due and justified, as these images are spectacular in their posture, texture and timing. Of course, it goes without saying that I always marvel at your perspective on all of nature's beautiful subjects and your shots today of the surrounding landscape, trees, beehive and berries are captivating!

    xo
    Poppy

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  16. What a fun blanket for a horse! Oh wow. Wonderful pictures of your cute little owl. He is so darling peeking out of his tree home and looking about. I am sure that there is at least one of those photos that will be framed! Have fun next time!

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  17. The owl pictures are just brilliant. From Findlay.

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  18. Such a lovely collection again Mary. Thanks for brightening a dull day here. Peter x

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  19. wat een prachtige uilenserie dit is echt genieten.

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  20. I see him!!!!!!! I see him!!!!! Love owls....would eventually love to find the Barred. Great birds! And you have some great images here! Thanks for sharing:)

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  21. What a beautiful bird and I,love the blanket for the horse

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  22. How great to see the owl! You got some good shots! Love the horse blanket!

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  23. Terrific photographs, Mary! How very exciting so see this beautiful owl! I know they can be very elusive, as we hear them hooting on our country property everyday, but rarely even catch a glimpse of them. The face markings are so very striking. I can understand why they are near and dear to your heart. Love the zebra print horse blanket. Looks cozy!

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  24. I enjoyed your entire post, as usual, but you captured some great images of my favorite owl! Very nice!
    And it was neat seeing your "horse of another color", too!

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  25. I have worked in rehab with a Barred Owl and now work with a little male in our education programs. They are sooooo beautiful with those deep brown eyes ... their eyes are brown because they hunt in the darkest part of the night preferable in the deepest dark forests so the darker eyes allow them to absorb more light. I love how he quietly keeps an eye on you while you move about. All of the soft subtle browns and grays of winter ... so peaceful, so thoughful ... then you zap us with the Zebra horse. You sure woke me up! What a fun person you must be ... so glad I have come to know you.

    Andrea @ From The Sol

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  26. What amazing photos. It was good to see your images of the Barred Owl. I followed you through your comment on Eileen's post. How wonderful to bird with those ladies who knew so many sparrow species. I simply love LBJ's and am thrilled when I can ID them as they're normally quite a challenge. Great to meet you. Greetings, Jo

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  27. There is a certain magic in owls. Beautiful images and narrative. Love the geographic/military camouflage pattern of the sycamore bark.

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  28. its a beautiful creature Mary. I also love the two berry images, lovely contrast to the post

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  29. the owl had choosen an interesting tree. :)

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  30. The owl is magnificent and I'm glad you got a chance to see it and photograph it. That horse blanket gives a really fun look to the horse!

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  31. Great photos. I love the Owl, he certainly blends well with his surroundings.

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  32. Absolutely beautiful photography....I'm so happy to have stumbled upon you!!

    Ron ruled by his Labradoodle Sophie

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  33. Wonderful shots of the barred owl! I hope our pair is nesting at my favorite place again this year. :)

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