Spring ushers in buds and blooms, and in my neck of the woods, Spring brings new babies. For the past few years, Mama and Papa welcome two new owlets into their Great Horned Owl family every Spring.
The next time you wander into the woods, if you see two furry balls high on a tree, don’t pass them by.
Those furry balls could turn into two pairs of big eyes, inviting you to stay awhile. Fine, take some pictures. We love to pose.
They look cuddly as a teddy bear.
I can only imagine how those fluffy down feel to the touch. They’re nature’s babies; I can only admire from afar.
And what are they thinking, looking at us humans gathering under the tree?
Oh, humans? That’s what they are? Strange, with such huge and long noses. No? Telephoto lenses? They sure are curious and interesting creatures. Alright, let me give them a high five. That’ll make their day.
Ok… let me show off a little: here’s a wing:
and two:
Don’t think I’m just a cute li’l baby. I’m learning to be formidable:
Mama knows. She’s always watching nearby. She may have her eyes closed, but she’s alert and watching alright:
Happy Mother’s Day, Mama!
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Saturday Snapshot is hosted by West Metro Mommy Reads. CLICK HERE to see what others have posted.
PHOTOS TAKEN BY ARTI OF RIPPLE EFFECTS
DO NOT COPY OR REBLOG
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They are so cute!
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Thanks for stopping by.
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Wow! These are amazing shots. I’ve never seen baby owls.
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readerbuzz,
I’m so fortunate to be able to see new baby owls every Spring for a few years now. 😉
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What an absolutely fabulous series, Arti. You’ve captured so many aspects of these appealing little creatures — and their mama, too.
They’re such fun to watch as they begin trying their wings. I got to watch osprey babies one year, perched at the edge of the nest, flapping and flapping, but too hesitant for days to take off. I read somewhere that the parents know how to cope with that situation. They stop bringing food to their babies. When lunch doesn’t show up on time, hunger can overcome hesitancy!
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Linda,
I’ve got many more photos… actually, the Owl Family is not so hard to photograph because they stay still, steady and stoic. The Great Blue Herons are quite stationary too, but they are so camera shy, hard to get too close. The owls sit on the branch and not move for hours. I’ve never seen osprey babies. Maybe you’d post some pics some day. 😉
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Unbelievably fabulous! They’re showing off! And I loved your narrative. The shots are excellent — what sweet, soft faces! And I love mom’s constant watching. That wing span looked pretty significant, even for a baby. What a treasure to get these shots!
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Jeanie,
You know, the owls are much easier to take photos of than other birds because they stay still and not afraid of us humans, unlike the Herons and other birds. They were high up so it’s a matter of using a telephoto lens and cropping. There are always nature paparazzi parking their tripods and long lenses right nearby the tree. Quite a party there.
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Whoa! You got such a lot of captures in various poses! A willing model! 🙂
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indrani,
Thanks for stopping by. Glad you like the pics. 😉
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So cute!! 🙂 Love the high five! LOL! (High four??)
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Michelle,
Exactly, high four! 😉
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What wonderful photos. They remind me of a book called Owl Babies.
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Ginny,
I’m so glad to see new owlets every Spring… before the grass turns green. 😉
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Wow and wow. I love these photos of the owls! Terrific captures Arti!!
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Ellen,
They are cute yes, but will soon fly away when fully fledged. A mystery as to where they go. Every Spring it’s like this. The parents will literally become empty nesters. 😉
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Oh, cute! I am not sentimental about animals but these are so wondrous and beautiful I felt quite moved.
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Denise,
Thanks. I’m not sentimental about animals either. Actually they are not just cute, as the last few photos show, they can be formidable. I wouldn’t want to mess with them. 😉
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They are so adorable and I’d love to feel that down, too! Great shots.
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Bettyl – NZ,
Come to think of it, don’t they remind you of koalas? 😉
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What incredible wing feathers! Love the puffed up bodies on those babies too!
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Susan,
Yes, the wings are huge and powerful. They aren’t as cute and cuddly when they spread their wings.
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Oh my gosh they’re so fluffy and cute!!
– linking over from Saturday Snapshots
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Somehow I find owls fascinating. I loved your post so much…
Here is my Snapshot post
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What wonderful photos! They sure are cute, those big eyes and all that fluff.
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What a show-off! Perfect timing for you to be there with camera in tow to capture the details. Oh, those wings! I’m amazed how they fold up so compactly.
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What a great sequence of photos. I particularly love that 4th one.
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Yes, isn’t he/she adorable! Sure knows how to pose. 😉
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