The eyes have it. They see all. The know all. They reflect all, too.

And in this particular case the reflection in my eye, er, the owl’s eye, would be me. And the owl would be a rescue Western Screech Owl, handled by the wonderful folks at Talking Talons (a group who helps winged critters in need). If you look closely in the eyes (but not too closely, for you can easily get lost in those eyes), you can see myself and a bit of my camera grabbing this close up. I will freely admit that perhaps I was a little too close, really, but I just had to have this macro shot of an owl’s eye. Later, when I looked at it, I realized I had a bit more in that eye than I intended.

The eyes reflect all. They know all. They see all. They have it.

Blue Hoo

What’s in a name, really?

This little fellow, formally known to us since 1867, has more names than you would imagine… the most common name, of course, is the Western Screech Owl, but some of the more fanciful names include Dusk Owl, Ghost Owl, Mouse Owl, Cat Owl, Little Cat Owl, and, well, let’s just say that the list is a really long one, shall we?

Like all birds of prey, size is no indication of hunting skill, and if you think the list of names for this fellow are long you should see their dinner menu… if it flies, hops, swims, crawls, slithers, creeps, or even moves, it is fair game. This little guy might only be a few inches tall, but, he is quite the accomplished hunter.

And talkative, too. The Screech doesn’t really “screech”, but does make the all too familiar soft and mellow “hoo-hoo-hoo” sound heard throughout western North America.

As you walk through the forest, just after sunset, and hear that familiar call, you’ll know a screech is close by. Maybe it is, in owl-speak, swearing up a blue streak. Maybe it is sounding out its territory. Or maybe, just maybe, it is saying its name (by whatever name it is called).

There are different sizes of this photo available at our portfolio. Blue Hoo is available for purchase, as well, and you can have this print framed and delivered right to your door.

Saw-Whet Pose, originally uploaded by ifringe.

I’ve been sorting and collating photos over the last couple of days (it’s that dreaded “organization” thing–I try to avoid that as best as possible but every now and then slip up and accidentally get it together) and out popped this little guy.

This is a rescue Saw-Whet Owl, taken at the Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge. Plenty of fantastic groups are out there taking care of nature when it needs help, and this little guy is a rescue from one such group. They were kind enough to let folks meet this little guy and he was quite a charmer. In fact, for all the world he seemed to know what a camera was and how to strike a pose–my finger never has hit the shutter button so fast. He just sat there, very willingly, and very happily (I think. Come to think of it, how do I really know the owl was happy? I’m guessing it was. And if you know differently, please be gentle when you burst my bubble. Anyway.) turning this way and that in the sunlight. He was enjoying the afternoon, enjoying the sunlight (well, it is usually nocturnal, but one must make exceptions now and then), and enjoying it all.

When it comes down to it, is there anything better than spending your afternoon with a posing owl?

Owl Eyes, originally uploaded by ifringe.

One of the great thing about the Festival of the Cranes in the Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Reserve is that it is all about the wildlife there, and as such, lots of folks come to exhibit and talk about the various wildlife. And when folks exhibit, therein lies opportunity.

Lots of birds were there from various wildlife rescue groups. These groups do incredible work–they care for those who need our help and often work diligently to reverse the effects of man on our fragile habitat. Support these groups, for our help (that’s you and me, you know) is desperately needed. OK. I’ll get off the soapbox.

Anyway, not surprisingly, many of the groups were all about various birds…and there in a corner were… owls.

Owls are way fun. They are bright, inquisitive, not camera-shy in the least and definitely interact with you. They watch you, too, which can be a little unnerving because of those eyes. The eyes! Here’s a hint: don’t try to win a staring contest with an owl. You won’t. And this is the voice of experience talking. It’s the eyes, you know. That and the fact that they are really sure your name tag says, simply,

“Dinner”