Yesterday, hubby called me to come and have a look at his progress in the kitchen, as he’d just installed the new oven. Very exciting to see although it won’t be operational for a few weeks when the granite counter tops are in place. Even when I’m supposed to be admiring his handiwork, I always have one eye out of the window so as not to miss any action in the backyard, and suddenly I saw what looked like an owl, fly across my vision and up into a palm tree.
I decided that the best view would be from my bathroom window. There was a lot of excitement and noise from the smaller birds, who were flying back and forth to the tree where he was precariously perched on a swaying branch. Mr. Owl was not going to be intimidated though, and clung on. I couldn’t get a clear shot, as it was windy and the fronds from a smaller palm tree kept blowing across in front of where he was. I thought this was the best I was going to get.
Then all of a sudden, he turned and looked straight at me, as the palm fronds magically parted for a split second, and I pressed the shutter, hoping it would be in focus.
I’m linking this post to Charlotte’s’s ‘Feathers on Friday’ challenge.
Wishing you all a relaxing weekend. Hubby will continue working on the kitchen, and we’re looking forward to having dinner with new friends tomorrow evening.
OMW just look at those eyes..
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I loved the owl photographs, his leaning down in the branches is so unique and then his turning to look straight at you is so amazing, Sylvia! Huge pride in your ability to take these and am hoping the bird is okay since maybe he is hungry and thirsty and this drove him to become out of sync with his nightime schedule!
Thanks so much, Robin. Yes, I hope he is okay. He didn’t stay for very long, but fortunately for me, just long enough to get some photos. I was very thrilled, as I’ve never seen an owl so close before. 🙂
Great timing!! What a beautiful bird. 😀
Thanks, Jackie. Yes it was good timing. 🙂
Good eye! That’s a great capture.
Thanks so much, John. 😃
Love the shot. We go out regularly to look for owls in the parks and woods here.
Thanks so much. Do you see many owls on your walks?
We do. We saw a barred owl a few weeks ago, out off the beaten path, in Central Florida hinterlands. We frequently see and hear screech owls too.
Wonderful!
You certainly were lucky…that owl must have known that you wanted to share his photo with us.
It was hypnosis. I was willing him to turn around when there was a clear shot. 🙂
Your really good…better than I imagined. 🙂
Hehehe 😉
Owls are so cool. Way to hang in there to get that fabulous last shot, Sylvia. You had a connection!
Thanks, Jane. Yes, I suddenly got lucky. 😅
Omg.. How lucky are you. Fantastic capture Sylvia.
Yes, sheer lucky break, Kathy. 🙂
A great horned owl, like in the Simic poem, I’d love to see one!
Well, this one didn’t have its horns yet. I hope he comes back when they’ve grown. I just looked at the Simic poem. What fun! 🙂
It is isn’t yes, I hope he stays around your place for a while!
He’s gorgeous 🙂
I thought so too. 😍
Mr. Owl is not a bird I’d cross. Just look at that beak!
Absolutely, Bun. 😯
What a great capture. You know, I don’t think I’ve ever seen an owl in the day time. I saw one at night, but it was too dark to photograph. What’s an owl doing in lizard country? You know you’re in the right place when you can see you’re there at the right time!
I’ve never seen an owl in the wild before. Maybe was looking for a lizard to eat. There are plenty to choose from. 🙂
I saw a platypus in a river once in Australia!
How amazing that must have been!
Wow, not often you get such a clear shot of an owl, that is a beauty! You sure do have an array of wildlife in your neighbourhood! Very interesting.
Thanks, Gerrie. I really love surprises like this. 🙂
Wowsa, Sylvia. Great job!! Love when that shutter trips at the right second. 🙂
Thanks, Jessica. Yes, me too. 🙂
What a fantastic shot of this glorious owl, Sylvia!
Thanks, Stacy. Glorious is a very good word for him. 🙂
What a marvelous catch! so, which impressed you more… hubby’s progress or the owl? 😉
Thanks, Gunta. I was far more excited to see the owl than the oven. 🙂
He looks as surprised to see you! We nearly ran over an owl last week. Came around a corner and a tawny owl was standing in the middle of the road! I braked sharply, he stared at me, then leisurely took to the air. Aren’t they magnificent creatures? You are definitely blessed in wildlife in your new abode. I do miss Mr A though.
Me too. Mr A will always be my favourite neighbour of all time, humans included. 😅
Good shot of the owl! From the picture, he is rather good size.
Yes, he was quite big. Thanks, YC. 😃
Great capture, Sylvia ! You know how to multitask 😀
Thanks, Helen. I do my best. 😃
Awesome. I love owls and this year I’ve seen the most owl activity in my yard ever. I’m loving it. Great shot.
Thanks, Gloria. This is the first time I’ve seen an owl here.
Super, I hope you get to see more. I’ve seen 3 different kinds of owls this year, but I’ve only been able to get photos of 2, it’s so awesome when I see them though.
Owls ere wis birds.Their eyes can see everything.
What a striking creature! There is an owl that frequents our neighborhood and calls out at night, but I have never seen it. Thanks for sharing, Sylvia.
Oh, he is wonderful! I think you must have the most interesting bathroom window in the world.
Thanks, Anabel. Maybe I could rent it out by the hour. 😅
Oh Sylvia, what a wonderful photo. It looks like he’s hoping you’re getting his good side.
Thanks, Carol. I hope he likes his portrait. 😃
Oh my goodness that is amazing, I can feel our excitement, well done you, fantastic photo. We have four baby owls in the garden, we hear them, my husband has seen them, but I cannot get a shot of them at all!
Thanks, Susan. Oh now, to have baby owls must be super exciting. I hope you manage a few photos. 🙂 xx
What huge excitement you must have felt when you got that shot. Excellent 😀
Thanks, Liz. Yes, I was ecstatic and could hardly believe it. 🙂
I love those moments! 😉
Our Great Horned Owl was back this morning, but I have yet to see him in daylight. Lucky you!
Thanks, Cindy. I was amazed to see an owl in the bright sunshine. 🙂
Ooh, lovely pictures, well done! I adore owls, have rescued a couple over the years…
Thanks, Marina. How wonderful! 🙂
what a pleasant surprise! fun activity out there, Sylvia! have a wonderful weekend 🙂
Thanks so much, Lola. Yes it really was a wonderful surprise. 🙂
What an exciting visitor – and so close to you!
Thanks, Elaine. I was holding my breath hoping he wouldn’t fly away before I got a decent shot. 🙂
I wonder if he will be a regular visitor now?
I doubt it. I feel so privileged to have seen him so clearly.
What a lovely little visit! Way to go having your camera with you!
Thank you. My camera is always handy, and I often leave it on my bathroom windowsill. 🙂
How cool Sylvia – you got yourself a fantastic photograph of the owl. Your new place is very interesting! Your husband is working so hard, soon your kitchen and house will be complete – I can’t imagine living in such organized chaos.
Thanks so much, Mary. I’ve gotten so used to living like this that it will seem strange to have the whole house to live in. 🙂
You have some incredible views from your windows, Sylvia. I think this is the guy who keeps an eye on people who spy on the personal moments of others!!! 🙂 Have fun with your friends and I look forward one day to seeing some photos of the kitchen and perhaps a virtual meal.
janet
Hahaha. I’d better watch out then. He looks very stern and no-nonsense. 😯
Happy Feathers on Friday! It looks like you actually have a juvie Great-horned Owl. The “horn” grows in when they are older.
He’s so handsome. I love his really yellow eyes.
Thanks, Sarah. Yes, his eyes are really piercing.
Fabulous capture Sylvia! Isn’t it nice when the timing is just right and you get the photo you wanted! 🙂
Thanks, Adrian. Yes it is, and it doesn’t happen very often. 🙂
Happy Feathers on Friday! I think you actually have a juvie Great-horned Owl. The “Horns” grow in when they are older. Nice shots!
Thanks so much for your input. I had a look at some photos on Google and I’m sure you’re right. He was quite big. 🙂
Fantastic activity from that famous bathroom window, Sylvia~~and wonderful shots. Great instincts you had, and fast reflexes.
Thanks, Jet. Sometimes I just get lucky. 🙂
Wonderful shot of your surprise visitor.
Thanks, Nancy. 🙂
Beautiful! I love owls!
Thanks, Aletta. Me too, but I haven’t seen one in my garden before. 🙂
Wonderful!
Wow! You always get visitors in your backyard. 🙂 Great shot
Thanks so much, Glaiza. I love all my visitors. 🙂
Great pics S- Enjoy your weekend! xx
Thanks so much, Cheryl. You too. :0 xx
xx
beautiful Pictures, it stares straight into my face, I get scared he might think I am a mouse…!
Thanks so much, Anand. Haha…..I think I’m a bit to big to be mistaken for a mouse. 🙂
The look on this guest! that ‘Oh!! Uhm Hai’ look lol! awesome shot 🙂
Haha Thanks so much for your enthusiastic comment, Andy. 🙂
You are so very welcome! I hope this guest comes more often lol
Me too. 🙂
OMG! These are amazing shots, Sylvia! I love owls! And here I thought they were nocturnal.
Thanks so much, Jill. I was thrilled to get this shot. I think many owls are nocturnal, but not this one.
Sounds like it’s all happening Chez Sylvia! I missed two squirrels chasing each other round a tree trunk this morning!!
Hahaha Squirrels are fantastic to watch. So playful…..and quick. 🙂
Quick is an understatement!
Great luck there. Looking forward to seeing your new kitchen. Loved one of the last ones (can’t keep up with your house revamps).
Thanks so much. Actually, neither can I keep up. 😀
Great shot! I might have panicked and just frozen. LOve this!
Thanks so much. Yes, that would usually be me too. 🙂