Young Great-horned Owlet and Cottontails~

Five months is a very long time to deal with the things that were totally out of my control, and had a huge impact on me emotionally and physically. In plain and simple words, it was horrific, and I think that I am finally feeling a bit more confident and hopeful that things are beginning to return to normal for me and for the problems that I have been dealing with. These months have taken me to the depths of despair and depression and yet, I have learned slowly to rise above it. The darkest of days, I hope and pray are now behind me and I so appreciate all of the wonderful kindnesses afforded me from so many of you along the way.

One friend shared this with me, and it is just one of so many encouragements shared, but meant so much to me, I felt that, I needed to pass it forward.

 

"They say that the shadows couldn't be present unless there was light from above!

Walking this out in the shadow times, no matter how dark it may have seemed, was only made possible because His light was present to fill the empty void. "

 

So true to me, so beautiful an exchange!

A little over a week ago, I was able to go with Master Falconer Beau Solley once again to visit the Great horned Owl nest.

It was my third visit since February 27 th, and I am still hoping to see the Owlet one more time...as I would so love to see this young one branching out before it flies off to freedom and to parts unknown.
With my Nikon D-90 camera in hand and using my 70/300 lens, the first image is what you can see, as we first approach the nest.
It is a huge nest and I love that big Sycamore tree.
In fact the woods where the nest tree is, has many of them.
The landscape of this site is wild, and really beautiful, so I will share of bit of that as well.
The main diet of the Great-horned Owl is rabbits and so I will place them in this post also. No, none of these are in the same area as the nest, so not to worry about them, at least where this nest is concerned.
Once again, as I have said, this is nature and while we can wince a bit, we must also accept.

I am linking up with Mary for:

"Mosaic Monday"

at:http://dearlittleredhouse.blogspot.com

and

I am linking up with Stewart at:

Wild Bird Wednesday

(http://paying-ready-attention-gallery.blogspot.com.au/)

 

 

 

 

Beau and his wife June enjoyed sitting in the quiet at the base of this massive Sycamore tree on our second visit to the site. 
It is very near the nest site and a quite stream runs along the side of it. 
It is really very tranquil and a wonderful place for the Great horned Owls to nest and raise their young. 
Beau said that these Owls have nested here for several years and prior to that it was originally built by Red-tailed Hawks.
 

 

 

What you cannot see, but trust me, it is all over the place...Poison Ivy was beginning to sprout up all over. 
The other bad thing are ticks.
Wood and Deer ticks...ugh...and soon the Mosquitos will be about the area and I will not venture there until the next nesting season.
 

 

 

I really loved the looks of the many trees with moss growing up them, they remind me of the trees along the coast of Oregon and Washington states.
 

 

 

 

 

I took the Cottontail images in my father-in-laws back yard. 
Two of them were frolicking and having the best time. 
The first image...I thought that was one of the sweetest faces on a wild Cottontail that I had ever seen, such expression on that face, and such a shaggy fur all over.
Too Cute!