I just can’t resist. Having seen life bursting out in the spring forest, I’ve an urge to borrow Proust’s title here. But unlike Proust’s magnificent work, within the budding grove where I go birding, everything is stark literal, direct and visceral. No need for metaphors. Alive, chirping, calling, even confronting…
Robins stay here in the winter, but they keep quiet and hidden. Good to see energy recharged:
Or simply posturing. Here’s one Angry Bird:
In contrast, the Cedar Waxwings are more elegant, embracing the sun with poise and panache:
And there are other beautiful creatures with wings, in much simpler form but no less elegant:
The woods are lovely, but the main draw is the Owl Family. Again, another sighting of Papa amidst the budding grove, silently keeping watch…
over this trunk from a short distance, so not to draw attention to the nest I suppose:
Can you see them?
Here they are … a closer look. Two Owlets born shortly before Easter. Mom is in there, probably taking a much needed nap. This is a different pose from the one I posted on Easter Sunday:
What does this make you think of? For me… Mt Rushmore.
Within a budding grove, surprises abound.
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Saturday Snapshot is hosted by Melinda of West Metro Mommy Reads. CLICK HERE to see what others have posted.
ALL PHOTOS TAKEN BY ARTI OF RIPPLE EFFECTS
DO NOT COPY OR REBLOG
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Ripple Effects 
Beautiful shots!! My daughter loves owls! 🙂
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Courtney,
This wood could be your daughter’s wonderland. The Mama and Papa Owls have been coming back to the exact tree trunk to nest every spring.
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It’s taken until today to remember what my mother used to say to me when I was argumentative, cranky or just generally unpleasant: “Don’t be so owly.” I wonder how these wonderful creatures ended up in a phrase like that?
The camouflage is amazing. It takes a good look to figure out where the tree ends and the owlets begin.
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Linda,
What we’re seeing is the owl’s calmest state. I’m sure these young ones will learn to defend themselves soon from their Papa. The woods are full of potential dangers. One birder had seen a Canada Goose trying to take over their nest and the Papa fiercely defended it. Look at the Angry Bird in the post. That could be another state of temperament for any living creature. 😉
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Your photos are always amazing, and I look forward to them every Saturday. You make me want to get out into nature more often. I love the comparison to Mount Rushmore. So apt!
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Sandra,
Thanks for stopping by and leaving your kind comment. 😉
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Oh, I adore the Mt. Rushmore Owls….and the blue skies with branches etched against them….thanks for sharing. Here’s MY SATURDAY SNAPSHOT POST
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laurel,
Yes, very picturesque environs the owls have chosen for their nest.
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The Owlets look like thy are carved into the wood. Very exciting. How far from your home did you find them?
Anne@My Head is Full of Books
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Anne,
The woods are within a provincial park right in our city’s boundary. It’s a boreal forest. The owl family lives about 15 mins. drive from my home. It’s a blessing to have them as neighbours.
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Such amazing photos. Love the owlets. I’ll be at Mt. Rushmore on Tuesday so I’ll let you know if I see the resemblance! 🙂
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Ellen,
I wish I could actually see Mt. Rushmore instead of imagining it in my head, or seeing it in owls in a tree trunk. 😉
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Wow, Ellen you’ll be sort of close to me. I live west of Devil’s Tower in Wyoming. I grew up in Rapid City SD, visited Mt Rushmore often. The owlets do look carved of granite. An apt description, Arti.
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jkb4664,
Amazing that you can visit Mt. Rushmore anytime you’d like to being so close to it. As for me, the closest point of interest is the Owl Family. 😉
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How lucky to see owls – I love them! Such beautiful photos (I love the first one as well!).
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Letizia,
Thanks. I’m blessed to be living so close to Nature and yet still enjoy the convenience of an urban setting. 😉
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Wow, the owl nest shots are incredible! We are big fans of owls here. Thanks for sharing! Here’s my SNAPSHOT.
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Diana,
Thanks for your comment and the link to your SS. Hope to hear from you again.
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So nice to meet you here (and have you visiting over with me and the tooth fairy). Gorgeous photography. I wonder what the bird was so angry about??
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roughwighting,
Welcome to the pond, where you throw in your two pebbles and make some ripples. The Angry Bird is about 10 ft. away from me. So, maybe she was mad at me for getting too close, or, maybe she was just posing for my photo shoot. 😉
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You are spot on about Mt. Rushmore! Their camouflage is fabulous! I love the Angry Bird! Just wonderful. Oh, they all are! Your camera combined with your great eye (and no doubt, great patience!) make for a four-star combination!
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Jeanie,
LOL about Mt. Rushmore. That just flashed in my mind as I looked at these two Owlets like they’ve been carved right out of the tree trunk. Hopefully, more interesting photos to come.
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Wow! Owls! You have a real treasure there in that tree!
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Susan,
I sure have… and some more. They’ll come out when they fledge and just like last year, even more adorable.
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I’m amazed how the owlets blend in with the tree! Awesome photos!
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Joy,
Thanks. Hope to take a family photo when they come out. 😉
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The bare trees are the best time of year for birdwatching, and catching photos without the foliage. I love your Mount Rushmore of owls. How wonderful to see those owls grow up. I hope to see some Cedar Waxwings one day.
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Louise,
Yes, I had the chance last year. They (not these but their older siblings) looked more adorable after they’d fledged. Like two furry balls sitting on a tree branch. 😉
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All these bird shots are delightful! I love it that the owlets peeked out of their nest, ready for their close-up, Arti. They bear a striking resemblance to their dad.
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LA,
LOL, yes. They take after their mom and dad. And, I’m starting to feel that I just might give people a misconception that I’m recycling my photos… since they’re almost quite similar. So, next week, I must think of something totally different.
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Hm. Time to photograph creatures with paws?
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Oh, lovely photos! Those owls are priceless (all of them)! Happy Spring to you, Arti!
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ds,
I’ll keep you posted re. the Owl Family. Thanks for stopping by the pond. 😉
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Heh, Mt Rushmore would be so much more interesting to me if it really had owl heads instead of the heads of dead presidents! The trees are indeed budding, I can them in the photos, soon there will be lots of lovely bright green leaves.
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Stefanie,
LOL… or the Simpsons. 😉
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The way you describe those birds is just perfect. Wonderful, Arti!
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litlove,
Thanks for stopping by the pond. 😉
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