Good morning Gail! I love this response. :) My son and I are on the second book of Guardians of Ga'Hoole. Thank you for the recommendation. We are really enjoying them so far.
The blue heron, standing tall and silent in a nearby lake, awaiting its next meal is such a study in pure attention. I also love its majesty as it takes flight. Pelicans also mesmerize me, so prehistoric looking as they fly in stunning formation. My heart soars whenever I see a bird in flight. If I am on a run, I stop in my tracks and just marvel at their “gravity defying” existence. Such awe & wonder as my heart leaps with love...
For perspective, I have watched the eagle pair chase off other eagles (anytime other than winter) from all ends of a 2 mile lake. The lake is not big enough for an interloper apparently.
Thank you Clark. I feel the same way when I run...I get so excited and it doesn't matter if it's a robin or a blue heron. :) Thank you for reading and sharing.
I remember receiving a small Kodak 70 years ago (I was 6) and lying on our front lawn snapping photos of robins with such glee as they cocked their heads to one side or another and soon dangled an unsuspecting worm as their next meal.
Yes, photography is still a passion. I used to collect B&W photographs by some iconic photographers but now I love the vibrancy of color although there is nothing like a great b&w image to focus one’s attention.
Oh Yes, Olga. I agree. It's so funny you mention the cardinal. I was just writing a poem about my cardinal sighting. :) I can't wait to share it with you on Monday. Thank you for reading and sharing your favorite bird.
So many birds but I have a special place in my heart for hawks. We had one nest and birth one baby in the corner of our house roof. There was a hole caused by a loose rotten board. The baby dropped to the ground and landed on a low branch of our pine tree. The next day it was up higher on a branch of the black walnut. The third day the baby and the mom flew up in the sky and circled our house loudly calling like they were saying thank you and then flew off. So amazing!
OMG Julie! What a delightful "conversation" with this owl! And in answer to your question: My favorite bird - the Great Blue Heron. I watched one fish one day. Just watched him while he stood completely still - until he struck quick as lightning...and came up with a fish! The picture of patience...
Kym, That must have been a sight. Thank you so much for sharing. One place I go to run I get to see one maybe two. I haven't yet seen them grab a fish but when they open their wings to fly...WOW!
I love all birds, but I think my favorite is the Cardinal. I rarely see or hear owls, but I love them also. I really like hearing the chickadees though!!!
The cardinal is a wonderful bird especially right now against the white background. I spotted one yesterday and watched it for 10 minutes! LOL...my procrastination. Thank you for sharing Faith and hope all is well with you and David.
Favorite bird? Woodstock - from Charlie Brown, Snoopy’s buddy. I offer that preposterous reply as I saw our local songbirds on the iced over surface of their birdbath. They weren’t skating. They remained thirsty.
My next step was to remove the ice then add slightly warm water to avoid a quick refreeze. Our dog, Izzie, has come to enjoy this elevated puddle for a sip after our walks. The ice baffles her. Thanks for your post today, Julie. I’m fond of owls too. Barred mostly.
A follow up note, Julie. As Iz and I began our morning tromp, two wood ducks rose swiftly from the pond and buzzed by us like Tom Cruise in Top Gun. Next, a Red Shouldered Hawk swept down from a tree behind us, crossed the water and rose up to roost in an oak tree on the other side. Let me not forget the Belted Kingfisher that rattled and chattered in the tree tops nearby! Certainly an unusual morning for the varieties of birds seen. Heartwarming to this old buzzard!
It was indeed magnificent, Julie. Not an actual trail that is maintained as such. One bank of the pond, from where I saw/heard all that activity is pretty narrow. Path-like. The east end and south side, with the preponderance of trees where the hawk landed, are both considerably wider, offering room to play fetch with Iz. Iz doesn’t keep a life list of birds seen (maybe in her brain?) so she chose to enjoy her “blue bow tie” toy. A favorite since her puppy days. I don’t call her my buddy lightly.
Lol, favorite bird. I have so many! But I really do love horned owls, hooting in the morning. Your picture is actually either a short eared owl, or a long eared owl by the way. I can’t remember how to tell them apart. I’ve only seen a short, eared owl once and I’ve never seen a long eared owl.
Right! :) Thank you for the correction on the photo. I wondered if it was the right image. Have you spotted a great horned owl before or any owl? I love the hooting sound. I was listening to the owl sounds and I didn't realize the barned owl is more of a screech sound then a hoot. Or maybe they do both depending on what's going on. HA! So much to learn...fascinating.
Oh yes! I've photographed a fair number of barred and great horned owls. Some years more than others! Barred owls and great horned owls really are more of hoots, though they are different (great horned are deeper and the cadence is different). I almost always can tell the difference between the two in sounds. I've seen a few barn owls but not many and I don't know their sound. I've heard screech owls a few times but never seen one, even though they should be relatively "common" around here. They are small and tough to see! I love owls. The meeting reminder on my phone is a full barred owl call. Occasionally it goes off in a public place and that's always funny.
Oh I love this! Thank you Karen. I figured with your pay attention skills and camera you have photographed some. Wonderful. I'm curious...the photos of the owls...are they for sale?
Well...yes, sort of. I mean they are, but I don't have a website anywhere where you can look at them and order them. I pretty much just order prints if someone asks for them from something I've posted.
Owl calls from oak branch
“Can you hear -- I am with you”
Let’s run together
Good morning Gail! I love this response. :) My son and I are on the second book of Guardians of Ga'Hoole. Thank you for the recommendation. We are really enjoying them so far.
You’re welcome!
The cast of owls and Kathryn Lasky’s imagined world live somewhere inside of me. 😁
Glad you are enjoying!!!
One bird fascinates
Blue Heron, patient and still
Yes, meditating...
The blue heron, standing tall and silent in a nearby lake, awaiting its next meal is such a study in pure attention. I also love its majesty as it takes flight. Pelicans also mesmerize me, so prehistoric looking as they fly in stunning formation. My heart soars whenever I see a bird in flight. If I am on a run, I stop in my tracks and just marvel at their “gravity defying” existence. Such awe & wonder as my heart leaps with love...
I love blue herons. Last year at this time I saw a fight between blue two blue herons on the ice. They aren’t always patient and still lol.
Hi Karen, I was hoping to hear from you. :) You know so much about birds and I'm learning a lot from reading your posts.
Wow...I never would have thought they would fight. I wonder what it was about? Thank you for sharing and being here.
For perspective, I have watched the eagle pair chase off other eagles (anytime other than winter) from all ends of a 2 mile lake. The lake is not big enough for an interloper apparently.
Oh herons are extremely territorial. I have watched them fly all the way across a cove, chase off another heron, and go back to where they were because the cove wasn't big enough for 2 herons. On the other hand, I saw 3 hanging out together yesterday. They will also do this with egrets. Here's the post with the heron fight - most likely 2 males. https://karendavis.substack.com/p/how-shall-we-interpret-this?utm_source=%2Fsearch%2Fheron%2520fight&utm_medium=reader2
So interesting Karen! Oh my gosh, what fun you see and I appreciate you sharing so generously.
Thank you Clark. I feel the same way when I run...I get so excited and it doesn't matter if it's a robin or a blue heron. :) Thank you for reading and sharing.
I remember receiving a small Kodak 70 years ago (I was 6) and lying on our front lawn snapping photos of robins with such glee as they cocked their heads to one side or another and soon dangled an unsuspecting worm as their next meal.
How fun! Thank you for sharing this memory with us Clark. I'm curious, are you still into photography?
What an amazing moment, Julie - and you've written about it so beautifully! Thank you. 🦉
Thank you so much Rebecca.
Yes, photography is still a passion. I used to collect B&W photographs by some iconic photographers but now I love the vibrancy of color although there is nothing like a great b&w image to focus one’s attention.
Oh wonderful. Yes B &W can be so powerful but I love bright colors too. :)
My favourite bird is a red cardinal.
I find them to be both so cheery and pretty. :).
Oh Yes, Olga. I agree. It's so funny you mention the cardinal. I was just writing a poem about my cardinal sighting. :) I can't wait to share it with you on Monday. Thank you for reading and sharing your favorite bird.
So many birds but I have a special place in my heart for hawks. We had one nest and birth one baby in the corner of our house roof. There was a hole caused by a loose rotten board. The baby dropped to the ground and landed on a low branch of our pine tree. The next day it was up higher on a branch of the black walnut. The third day the baby and the mom flew up in the sky and circled our house loudly calling like they were saying thank you and then flew off. So amazing!
OMG! This is an amazing story Mom. Thank you for sharing. Was this when you lived in South Onondaga? When was this? I would love to know more. :)
OMG Julie! What a delightful "conversation" with this owl! And in answer to your question: My favorite bird - the Great Blue Heron. I watched one fish one day. Just watched him while he stood completely still - until he struck quick as lightning...and came up with a fish! The picture of patience...
Kym, That must have been a sight. Thank you so much for sharing. One place I go to run I get to see one maybe two. I haven't yet seen them grab a fish but when they open their wings to fly...WOW!
My favorite bird is the osprey. Love watching the family that hunts on Little York Lake each Summer and part of the Fall.
Good morning Nancy, How amazing that you have a family to watch. Marvelous...I wouldn't get any writing down. LOL
I saw one fly over me when I was running on the Erie Canal Trail in the summer. Magnificent.
Thank you for reading and sharing.
I love all birds, but I think my favorite is the Cardinal. I rarely see or hear owls, but I love them also. I really like hearing the chickadees though!!!
The cardinal is a wonderful bird especially right now against the white background. I spotted one yesterday and watched it for 10 minutes! LOL...my procrastination. Thank you for sharing Faith and hope all is well with you and David.
Favorite bird? Woodstock - from Charlie Brown, Snoopy’s buddy. I offer that preposterous reply as I saw our local songbirds on the iced over surface of their birdbath. They weren’t skating. They remained thirsty.
My next step was to remove the ice then add slightly warm water to avoid a quick refreeze. Our dog, Izzie, has come to enjoy this elevated puddle for a sip after our walks. The ice baffles her. Thanks for your post today, Julie. I’m fond of owls too. Barred mostly.
Thanks for the chuckle Gary! :) I forgot about Woodstock...how could I? I grew up with Charlie Brown and Snoopy.
Thank you for sharing Gary and reading. Have a safe and fun weekend.
A follow up note, Julie. As Iz and I began our morning tromp, two wood ducks rose swiftly from the pond and buzzed by us like Tom Cruise in Top Gun. Next, a Red Shouldered Hawk swept down from a tree behind us, crossed the water and rose up to roost in an oak tree on the other side. Let me not forget the Belted Kingfisher that rattled and chattered in the tree tops nearby! Certainly an unusual morning for the varieties of birds seen. Heartwarming to this old buzzard!
Oh wow!! What a walk to see all those maginificant birds. :) Is this a trail you were on? Thank you for sharing. :)
It was indeed magnificent, Julie. Not an actual trail that is maintained as such. One bank of the pond, from where I saw/heard all that activity is pretty narrow. Path-like. The east end and south side, with the preponderance of trees where the hawk landed, are both considerably wider, offering room to play fetch with Iz. Iz doesn’t keep a life list of birds seen (maybe in her brain?) so she chose to enjoy her “blue bow tie” toy. A favorite since her puppy days. I don’t call her my buddy lightly.
This place sounds fabulous. Enjoy Gary and the time with Iz :)
Dan found an injured owl on the farm and took it to rehab. The owl got better and released back on the farm!
Oh wow! Dan is my hero! :) I wonder what kind of owl. I'm so glad its healing and released back to the wild. Thank you Claudette for sharing.
Lol, favorite bird. I have so many! But I really do love horned owls, hooting in the morning. Your picture is actually either a short eared owl, or a long eared owl by the way. I can’t remember how to tell them apart. I’ve only seen a short, eared owl once and I’ve never seen a long eared owl.
Right! :) Thank you for the correction on the photo. I wondered if it was the right image. Have you spotted a great horned owl before or any owl? I love the hooting sound. I was listening to the owl sounds and I didn't realize the barned owl is more of a screech sound then a hoot. Or maybe they do both depending on what's going on. HA! So much to learn...fascinating.
Thanks again.
Oh yes! I've photographed a fair number of barred and great horned owls. Some years more than others! Barred owls and great horned owls really are more of hoots, though they are different (great horned are deeper and the cadence is different). I almost always can tell the difference between the two in sounds. I've seen a few barn owls but not many and I don't know their sound. I've heard screech owls a few times but never seen one, even though they should be relatively "common" around here. They are small and tough to see! I love owls. The meeting reminder on my phone is a full barred owl call. Occasionally it goes off in a public place and that's always funny.
Oh I love this! Thank you Karen. I figured with your pay attention skills and camera you have photographed some. Wonderful. I'm curious...the photos of the owls...are they for sale?
Well...yes, sort of. I mean they are, but I don't have a website anywhere where you can look at them and order them. I pretty much just order prints if someone asks for them from something I've posted.
okay good to know! I will keep my eyes out for an owl. :)
Oh what a treat! They are so hard to spot.
It sure is. They make such a gentle and comforting sound. So fun to hear in the morning. Thanks Linda!