I live on a heavily wooded acre and a half of land in Cashiers, NC. There is a beautiful trout stream that flows the entire length of our property. It's been raining for days, but I stepped out on the deck this afternoon and something caught my eye in the woods. I realized in a hurry that it was an owl. I quickly ran and grabbed my camera. We hear owls calling just about every night, but very seldom see one. I didn't have any idea if I would be able to get close enough to get a photo of this one. Very quietly, and in the rain, I crept down the yard. I'll let you see if you can spot this beautiful bird. Good luck.
This is my front yard. There is an owl in this picture. Click on and maybe you'll see him.
A little closer now. I'm walking very quietly, but he has already spotted me. Do you see him in the lower left-hand side of the picture? He sees you with one eye.
See him now? Picture is blurry. Rain and excitement! But I'm getting closer...and then he flies.
Here I am! Lucky me, he flew to a tree that was much more out in the open.
Am I not beautiful!!! And then he spread his wings and flew away.
I'm glad it rained again today. I think the woods were so deep and dark, this bird was hunting trout in the stream. We have lots of songbirds in the yard and at the feeders, but I don't often get to see an animal this gorgeous. Maybe he came to brighten my day. He succeeded.
6 comments:
Special post and pictures! It made me wonder how many people have actually seen one of these beautiful birds in the wild. Several years back I spotted something on the fence at the back of my yard. Because it was late in the day and very cloudy, with some wind, I thought maybe a piece of trash had blown against the fence and lodged there. I tried to put it out of my mind, but it just kept nagging me. So out I went to investigate. The distance and density of the trees was great enough so that whatever was there had pretty good cover. As I got closer "it" moved a bit. Then came the sound of rushing wind as it flapped its wings preparing to lift-off. What a bird!! I was thankful to be the bigger of the two of us... the wing spread was something to behold and the sound as he became airborne, I will never forget. He flew deeper into the wooded area as I stood by with a grateful heart that I had been given such a gift.
I still can't figure out how I ever saw him. The woods are deep and it was so very rainy. I've seen only 3 in the 9 years we've been here. This is the only one to sit still for a photo. I know he saw me the minute I stepped out of the house.
Hi this is Kat for At the Compound. Thanks for visiting and commenting. How lucky for you to have witnessed such a wonderful, special thing as an owl. They are so elusive. We have 15 acres here, 10 which are wooded. We call it our bird sanctuary. We are in low lands at about 900' above sea level, about 30 min. from the Tennessee River. We love it here even though neither of us are native to N. Alabama. Anyway, I was looking so intensly at the first photo and at first spotted the bird on the bench, then I could barely make out the colors of the owl in the Rhododendren (not sure if that is right)Then I scrolled down and saw that beautiful photo.
What awesome owl photos. Don't you think it will come back? I find that once birds discover my place they add me to their list of places to visit.
Also, if that's a rhodendrum as big as a tree, I'm jealous!
I discovered your awesome blog this morning while googling for Smoky Mountain bee pollen. A friend on the West Coast has me on a mission to find 6-8 ounces for her. Do you know of a really good local place to find some?
Your owl pictures are wonderful! Owl medicine is powerful stuff. You have a barred owl, most often found in deciduous forests and swamps. It can appear threatening because it can have a pretty big mouth (or beak) for a bird. This reflects its ability to teach us how to use our voices for greater effects. Its daytime equivalent is the red-shouldered hawk. Both enjoy the moist woodlands and share the same nesting space on occasion.
Yes, that is rhododendren. Our whole property is covered with it. We sort of take it for granted. Will post pictures in June and July when it blooms. And Kat I'm envious of your 15 acres.
Don't know of a source for bee pollen, but I have a bee meeting on Thursday night and will ask around.
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