May 6, 2012

Mama Owl in the House While Papa Roosts Nearby


If I knew the first thing about actually performing a back flip, I would!  After many weeks of timid appearances, our beautiful, red Mama owl finally stayed at the entrance of the box long enough for me to get a shot. 

She is still very cautious but it may be that the box is getting crowded with owlets and she just needs a breath of fresh air and some space!

She perched at the entrance for a good ten minutes, allowing the whole family, including thrilled grandparents, to get a good long look. 


Always alert to everything going on in the yard...a bird had flown by;


and the house...someone walked by the kitchen window.


And certainly very alert to me in the window.  I smiled at her, making sure my eyes were kind, and sent lots of good, loving energy her way - I want her to like me of course.  I plan on taking lots of photos of her babies soon.  We need to be on very good terms!


This time of year the patio is in high demand for entertaining and relaxing but Papa owl doesn't seem to mind at all.  Everyone is eager to spend a few minutes with him and he is content to oblige, posing for numerous photographs.

This backyard experience has been one of the best for our family.  We are so eager to see the owlets; we're like proud grandparents!  I hope you don't tire of the owl posts but I just can't help it!





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20 comments:

  1. not at all! you could post every day and i'd not tire of them! so interesting that she is red and he is so gray.

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  2. Wonderful pics! Mama owl has some gorgeous eyes. I guess with the owlets in the house, Papa owl needs some alone time;)

    I recently found an owl box at the Wild Bird store. I probably won't purchase it until fall. They said the chance of getting owls is 50/50. Looks like you have to hang it pretty high up.

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  3. Now I want an owl house!!! We've have owls nearby but I've never seen them. Lucky you to have them roosting in your garden. Mama looks fierce! I won't get tired of the owl posts. I want to see the babies. :o)

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  4. Casa, I agree: my garden needs an owl house!

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  5. Wow, there is such intensity in mama owl's eyes! Papa owl seems so relaxed and laid back and mama owl seems very protective. I understand why you want to be on her good side. Love reading your posts about the owls.

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  6. Cat, I can't wait to see the babies. I wonder how many there are hidden in that little box.

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  7. I LOVE the owl posts and photos! Thanks so much for sharing. I am inspired to get an owl box for next year. Thanks for all you do!

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  8. Those pics are awesome...have never seen an owl up close!

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  9. This is just so cool!!
    I think you're inspiring a lot of people to get owl boxes.
    Hope you can get shots of those babies.

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  10. That is a most beautiful owl mother, and how harmonious the teal blue roof and her aqua eyes!

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  11. I would never tire of the owl posts...such a blessing to have them...

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  12. These are wonderful images, Cat. The owl coordinates with her house.

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  13. I do hope you get to see the babies! That would be wonderful.

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  14. That is so cool!!!!! Great photos too! I can't wait to see the babies either!

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  15. Your Mama owl doesn't look like most screech owls I've seen before. She is much more brown. Really even prettier than the normal grey.

    If you have a bird bath, be sure to keep water in it. Screech owls love to be in water. They will just set in it for long periods at a time.

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  16. It really looks so scary, i wonder who would venture to intrude in her house with those big eyes looking at you!

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  17. Cat, amazing photos of the owl!Thanks for sharing.

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  18. You had me smiling to myself... 'making sure my eyes were kind'... hahahaaaa... the owl in me would like to see that too... and from the pic of you, I am sure Mama Owl would love you in no time... and what a lovely looking owl-house...

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  19. What a treat to see the owls! I will have to catch up on your owl posts. I felt last year like I was posting too much about the bluebirds, but they were such a big part of my days, and it really felt like they were family. I can so identify with feeling like a parent or grandparent (or just benevolent host) to birds raising young nearby.

    I never heard of owl houses before...

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  20. How did she get inside the box??!!! Well owls are mostly feather, but still that is cute. All of our owls have fledged.....sad.

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