Paula’s Special this week is’ Eyes and Eye Contact’. I decided to go for the literal meaning, and post a couple of owl photos taken on different occasions through my bathroom window. I have no idea whether owls actually have thoughts, but if they do, I’d love to know what was behind this stare and the fact that his beak moved as though he were saying something to me.
Owls are often said to be wise, but maybe it’s just their unflinching stare that makes them look wise. They are mainly nocturnal birds, and I read that in bright light their sight isn’t that good, which is why they appear to be staring. They’re just trying to get you in focus.
Whatever the reason, that eye contact was quite unnerving, but I was happy to get the photos.
Hope your weekend will turn out to be a good one.
It’s not just that they stare. It’s that their eyes are so large, almost too large for their “face”. Thank heavens he isn’t myopic. Having a Marty Feldman-like owl staring into my bathroom would be too unnerving. 🙂
Hahaha Yes, you’re so right there. Thanks for reminding me of Marty Feldman. What a crazy man he was, and so funny. 😅
WOW … those are BIG PEEPERS. I suppose he can see anything.
Hope he didn’t catch you in the shower. LOL
Nicely captured, Sylvia. Wildlife seems to be your calling.
Have a GREAT week !!!!
Issy 😎
I Love Him! We have a spotted owl in my new place on the mountainside!! (or Mill Hill as it’s called) I see I have missed many of your beautiful posts!
Thanks, Cybele. Hope you see your spotted owl very often. They’re so beautiful. 🙂
lovely owls. I’ve not seen any in the UK yet, maybe as dusk arrives earlier I will 🙂
Thanks, Ruth. I hope that you do, and get a photo or two. 🙂
Wunderschön Grüße und alles Liebe Gislinde
Thanks so much, Gislinde. Great to see you again. 🙂 xx
I have never seen an owl but have always wanted to. Those amber eyes are mesmerizing.
Thanks, Lisa. Hypnotic eyes. 🙂
Yikes Sylvia, was he actually looking into your bathroom window?! How unnerving! Great captures tho.
Thanks, Tina. It was really such a highlight to see him up there in the tree. 🙂
Research shows that many birds can recognize a human face, they try to determine whether a person is a friend or a foe. Maybe this owl is just trying to memorize your face …as a friend I’m sure 🙂
What a lovely thought that is, Helen. I do hope he comes back again. 🙂
That’s a big one, Sylvia! Perhaps he wanted to have a little bite… 😉 Did you stare back until it backed down? *grins*
Have a stare-free weekend x
I did stare back, and then reached for my camera of course. 🙂
How remarkable to get such a closeup view! Mayhap she is thinking (if you were nude): so THAT’S what women look like without their feathers!
Haha Maybe it was a ‘he’. 🙂
Wow that is amazing Sylvia to see an owl through your bathroom window!!! How magical! You have so much nature where you live!
Thanks, Nicole. I’m very fortunate indeed. 😃
A very cool shot Sylvia! 🙂
Thanks, Adrian. 😃
Gorgeous photos Ad. Happy weekend xx
Thanks, Jo. It’s a bright and sunny day here. Hope it’s the same where you are. xx
Pouring! 🙂 🙂 Glad you’re ok though. I just left a comment for you over at Elaine’s because the news coverage on Florida makes it look dire.
My MiL also saw the news and thought we must be drowned by now. 😰
🙂
I can’t imagine seeing a wild great horned owl that close and in daylight. Have a wonderful weekend Sylvia!
I was so amazed to see him twice. I wish he’d come back again. 😃
That is quite the stare you got Sylvia. I remember getting a similar look from an osprey when we were in the Everglades.
Haha I can just imagine that, LuAnn. 😃
Their eyes are intense.
Aren’t they just? 🙄
Wow, it’s rare to get so close in daylight to an owl, Sylvia. I was wondering what he was trying to tell you, just as I read Sue’s comment above and then I just laughed and laughed. 🙂
Thanks, Jet. I was amazed to see him perched up there. Sue also makes me laugh …..often. 😅
That is so cool. I would love to have such close range with an owl. I am sure he/she has thoughts.
Thanks, YC. We will never know, but he certainly looks very wise. 😃
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That’s my favourite creature on Earth. I bet you did not know that. Sylvia, THANK YOU. I am loving this. You are the winner in my eyes 🙂
No, I didn’t know that. I’m so happy you like my photos. I was so lucky to get them. I keep looking out for him, but he hasn’t been back again. xx
Just keep looking, please 🙂
Amazing photographs, Sylvia!
Thanks, Jill. 😘
Amazing photography and what a big one.
Thanks, Marylou. 😘
Amazing
Thanks, Kathy. I sometimes feel that I’m Iggied Out, so it’s nice to have something different to post. 😅
Never
The owl makes me think of the old poem, The owl and the pussycat went to sea. Nice photos and perfect eyes! Enjoy your weekend, Sylvia! xo
Thanks, Robin. Yes, I remember that song. The words are fun, but so nonsensical, as I can’t imagine an owl and a cat becoming such good friends. 🙂
Well, that owl decided it was worth him getting you in focus!
So it would seem, Sue. 🙂
😀
We’ll never know aboout owls’ feelings: same astonished expression in bad or good fortune….
Your photos are so pertinent to Paula’s challenge!
Thanks, Anna. I guess you’re right. 🙂
I so wish I could get some photos of our resident horner owls. I love these. Owls aren’t the brightest bird because most of their brain is taken up by their visual center. They seeeee you!
Thanks, Cindy. Yes, they are just ‘bird brains’. 🙂
Who . . . who . . . who are you?
Nancy, you always make me smile. 😄
Yay! I’m a big fan of spreading smiles. And YOU make me smile too!
😘
Wow Dis spesiaal
Dankie, Tina. 🙂
They are beautiful animals but rather piercing eyes. Have a great weekend😊
Thanks, Ute. 🙂 xx
I think he is saying ‘Are you looking at me?’. 🙂
Yes, either that, or “Here’s looking at you. ” 🙂
Hee hee! By the way, I found you lurking in my spam again earlier today. It’s a mystery!
Lurking sounds so sinister. I prefer “languishing”. 😅
Oh, yes, that’s better – or many even ‘lounging’?
“Can’t an owl get a little privacy around here?!”
I can lip read owl actually. 🙂
Hahaha Now why didn’t I take an owl lip/beak reading course? 😀
What a shame. You can call me in for a consult any time. 🙂
Gee, thanks so much. 😅