Storm, the Barn Owl, made her appearance with a raucous flourish any Barn Owl would be proud of--unrelenting screams! The first time I heard a Barn Owl scream was in 1990. Rick and I lived in Maineville back then, and barns still dotted the countryside. Our second-floor bedroom hung beside a grove of towering pines that bordered a farmer's field. It was cold out that night, but for some reason we had opened the windows so we could listen to the wind in the pines. The screaming started at about 4:00 a.m. "OMG...is someone being murdered? That sound can't be human...are Banshees real?" The eerie night sounds started to fade, and it finally dawned on us that we were listening to two Barn Owls calling to each other in the pines outside our window. The calls were amazing and terrifying, and I loved hearing them...
Storm, the Barn Owl, making her (or maybe "his") appearance...punctuated with an exclamation mark!
Storm is gorgeous. I've always thought Barn Owls were beautiful, but seeing one up close blew me away. The colors in her feathers are carmelly warm and rich, and her heart-shaped face is extraordinary.
...I couldn't get enough of the patterns and colors in her wings and feathers.
...this is Storm's good wing, her other wing is partially amputated. She got it caught in a barn door, and it couldn't be saved.
...she backs up her beauty with terrifyingly sharp and strong talons.
...snowy white feathers tipped in carmel.
...beautiful.
RAPTOR, Inc. is a non-profit organization committed to the preservation of birds of prey. RAPTOR stand for the Regional Association for the Protection and Treatment of Raptors. Members of RAPTOR, Inc. rehabilitate and care for injured birds of prey until they can be released back into the wild. Click here for RAPTOR, Inc.'s HackBack newsletter and to learn how to donate to the organization, volunteer, or sponsor a banded raptor.
Oh my goodness, Kelly! I have no words. She/He is just absolutely breath-taking, as your photos of her. What a rare treat!
ReplyDeleteso beautiful; wow!!
ReplyDeleteVery good shots, how lucky of having those as neighbors! I encourage them to come with me with nest boxes but I am not been lucky yet....
ReplyDeleteBye!
You are right, she is absolutely gorgeous!! Makes me want to reach out and touch her. What a wonderful place.
ReplyDeleteWhat absolutely fabulous photos of Storm. We have a couple of barn owls nearby but they are hard to see unless out walking after dusk.
ReplyDeleteHi Kelly
ReplyDeleteThis is a stunning bird and your photographs really capture it. Just a wonderful post.
Guy
Great shots, Kelly!
ReplyDeleteExquisite feather patterns!
ReplyDeletethat last shot of her looking up is extraordinary. what a gorgeous beauty...
ReplyDeleteBeautiful. Carol
ReplyDeleteHi Kelly ...Oh my, absolutely breathtaken to see the close ups of the details of the fabulous creature!!
ReplyDeleteYou did good girl...great stuff!! ; }
grace
What I beautiful bird, such subtle colours, such grace.
ReplyDeleteOh my! How do you even begin to describe such beauty. It looks so soft--How could you keep from wanting to touch, feel and hold it. I guess those talons keep you at a distance.
ReplyDeleteGreat serie again.
ReplyDeleteBarn Owl is so common all over the world and it's a so beautiful bird.
Did you ever read "Wesley the Owl" by Stacey O'Brien? It's a very nice book about a girl and "her" Barn Owl.
Yes, absolutely gorgeous Kelly.
ReplyDeleteJust spectacular colors and markings! And your various angles highlight it all beautifully. Thank you for this!
ReplyDeleteTruly a work of art...Storm and your photos! So soft and fluffy and yet seems to shimmer and shine like jewelry too!
ReplyDeleteOh My ! Your photos of this owl gave me goose bumps and I feel like crying . They are so amazing. Im so stupid...must be hormones going weird on me...Im so emotional sometimes when I see pictures so beauutiful thanks with all my heart for sharing these today !
ReplyDelete- KAT -
What beautiful and unusual feathers! I love the eye area with its fuzzy feathers surrounding.
ReplyDeleteThe most beautiful Owl in Owlland!
ReplyDeleteincredible, yep incredible portraits Kelly! I love owls and barn owls are beautiful and their feathers are a joy to touch. thank you.
ReplyDelete...thanks, everyone! I have so many more cool photos of this amazing bird. Matty has a few unique and interesting photos too. I hope I remember to get them up. They would be a great reference for an artist to work from also. This owl was incredibly beautiful. I always wanted to see one up close, but...as always, I would rather have not been able to see Storm up close, because it would mean she was healthy and free in nature still...
ReplyDelete