This has been the Summer of the Owls at Flat Creek Farm. Some of you may recall my mother’s close encounter with a baby owl in Spring of 2010. Several weeks ago I noticed a group of birds flying right over my head after dark. I was packing my two roosters back to the chicken coop for the night (ah yes, just another day in my crazy life). After the roosters were put to bed these odd little birds became friendlier, oscillating their heads in a most familiar way. Owls, I thought… “baby” owls! And I was correct. They’ve been guests around the chicken coop area nearly every night. It seems they are preying on the mice in that area. Hey, no problem with that!
Here are some of “my” owls. I do believe they are Eastern Screech Owls. They are very small. If anyone has more particulars on them, please chime in.
They were friendly and calm, even while the camera flashed.
They talk to each other. Not screeching, but sweet little ‘coos’ – like “hey, I’m over here! where are you?”
My favorite shot ~ love the little curly tufts!
I don’t know how long they’ll be frequenting my backyard, but for now I really enjoy my almost nightly visits with the Owls!
*Read more about Eastern Screech Owls in Missouri here. This link also solved our mystery night call that we’ve been hearing for several years here!
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41 comments:
they are PRECIOUS! love them!!!
Wow, I'm impressed that you were able to get pictures of their sweet little faces!
So adorable! I too love that last shot~looks like s/he's posing for the camera.
Teresa
VERY cool! Thanks for sharing these amazing photos... I don't think I've ever known anyone to get a picture (let alone multiples) of an owl!
~Chris
So cute! We watched a family of owls grow up this spring, but never got as close as this. Love your photos.
OMGosh!!! They are so cute I can hardly stand it! I wanted to say--Catch those mice!! Have fun!! They are just darling creatures. Thanks so much for sharing the photos of them. I'd be looking forward to visiting with them at night, too! :)
Oh wow, these are so adorable. What neat pictures!
The pictures are great. They look so cute. We have owls in our woods. They get really loud some nights.
SOOOOO SWWWEEETIES, cara Tammy they are just too cute and sooo good; they wouldn't fly away; not even scared by the flashlights!!!!!!
FANTASTIC and so good to have them close to your home!!!! Isn't it lovely to know you have got some feathered little friends in the night out there???
I'd LOVE it!!!
(We have got a type of little grey-white owls too ; they have even a sweet sound when the chat with each others....!!)
Thanks so much cara for your always so very appreciated visits in my Tuscany!!!
have a wonderful summer with a lot of sunshine!!!
ciao ciao elvira
What great shots! I love the last one!
We had a couple of owls hanging around when we first moved here but haven't seen or heard very many lately. My hubby & I were just talking about that the other day.
How lucky you are! Enjoy them!
Tammy what amazing photos you captured! My favorite is the second one. I am very fond of owls, however, we have one residing in a tree next to the girls coop and my bedroom window. I picture my girls on their roost with their knobby knees shaking! Hope you are enjoying your summer, greetings from Maine, Julie.
How lucky you are to have those little creatures living near you!! Wish I had some around here. Once in a while I'll hear a large owl and have seen one only a couple of times. I'm sure they are around because I've seen a few dead on the road. They get hit by tall trucks when swooping down on prey at night. So very sad for such a good bird to have.
Tammy, They are so sweet! Great captures, especially at night!
How wonderful and what a priviledge to have them in your backyard!
Beautiful photos. They are amazing, aren't they?
Hi Tammy, you got some great shots of the owl. I have heard one cooing in our spruce trees by our house. I haven't seen it tho. Have a good day!
Great shots of the owls.
So very beautiful!!! We have a lot of owls in our woods and in the winter we have a couple of gorgeous snow owls that make themselves known. Such majestic birds...keep an eye out for owl pellets...those are fabulous to dissect! We did that for a project this year and how very fascinating!!
Yes, the riding mules sound MUCH nicer!!! lol
Lucky you. They're gorgeous, gorgeous, gorgeous. Great shots, Tammy. Please give our hugs to the girls. xo
What beautiful owls! We used to have one close by but I think our dogs scared them away.
Looks like they are posing for you.
Very cute.
Melinda
What a terrific series Tammy!! Each one of these captivating creatures are just wow!! How exciting to see the babies..I love the misty look of the second. Your header mosaic -each tells a story. Well wishing you a great week..
~blessings~
You got some really great pictures. Very cute & so nice that they are eating the mice. :)
how cute! great pics. interesting creatures.
hugs,
tara
when i first saw this post i thought to myself, "oh no,i hope that's not a screech owl!" we had some back in GA and oh my gosh...they scared the heebie jeebies out of us! i'm glad yours seems to be friendlier :)
owls are my favorite animals in the world! i've heard them but never "seen one in the wild". SO JEALOUS!! thanks for sharing the pics. LOVE THEM!
Hi there...just discovered your blog through Melinda at Country Dreaming. I just love her...we have even met a couple of times since we both live in the KC area.
Anyway, I so enjoy your blog and I'm your newest follower! I am a former Missourian (actually, I'll forever be a Missourian...especially living in Jayhawk Territory! ack!) and graduated from MU. But, before that I attended Northeast Missouri State (yes, I know it has a new name...I'm dating myself here!).
So, imagine my surprise when I was exploring your blog and saw the post on the General Store in TEN MILE! I dated a guy from Ten Mile...Seriously! Growing up in STL I had never heard of Ten Mile until I met Jeff.
Nearly 20 years since college graduation, you just helped me to walk down memory lane!!!
Looking forward to following you!
Val
Oh Tammy, they are just the cutest! Too adorable for words. I love that shot with the curled feathers too. That is so cool that they let you get such great piccies of them. :)
Oh my Tammy...how wonderful. I love each of these photographs...but like you the one with the curls takes my heart away...
Oh these Owls are amazing...
Wow!!
Happy Summer with Owls....
Sherry
Beautifully captured, Tammy. We have a few around here & occasionally hear them.
Would you be so kind to leave a comment on my BLOG ONLY, for the Miracle Makeover fund drive. Charlie, 8 yr. old, & his story are fabulous. Every comment brings us a $1 for the next person that will be sponsored.
Have a beautiful weekend.
Hugs,
TTFN ~
Marydon
Just the cutest little things. I hope they hang around for a while at your place. I can hear owls in our woods, but never see them.
Tammy those pictures leave me speechless and they are priceless. Great night captures!!
I was just passing through and popping on blogs that I've never been on before. So greetings folks from Lebanon county's Amish community. Richard
Oh my gosh, Tammy! Can you send me one! Adorable faces. I am in love....
xo, misha
Very adorable and impressive pictures. Love them.
Charlotte
www.charlottesmenagerie.blogspot.com
Nice pictures Tammy! i love it's eyes!
Was just thinking about you and wanted to thank you for your warm thoughts (hugs). I hope everything is going well for you on your farm and family.
I still haven't picked up another camera (I broke mine a couple months ago (it's was actually workable (lol) until the flash decided to stay on? Anyway, wishing you a terrific week Tammy-
Your owls are sooo cute!! We have one here.. He (or she) sits on a branch of the big tree out back and hoots at night. We have seen him several times, but never managed to get a photo.
Enjoy your sweet owls~ lucky you are!
They are adorable. Hope this heat passes soon~ I am ready for Fall!
Have a wonderful weekend!
Tammy, it was so good to see a comment from you on my blog. We too have these little owl babies in the summertime. I think they migrate back to where they were born. They are charming and cute and pretty friendly! Your pictures are wonderful!
Debbie
Great photos! Saw on Pinterest.
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