Saturday, August 9, 2008

The Owls of Summer

I think I have mentioned the fact that the weather here in Texas this time of year is super hot. All creatures large and small seek refuge from the blistering heat any way they can. This little guy is no exception.



For the past few summers, around the first of August, when the temperatures rise into the triple digits, we have visitors in the evening. Oh, and did you know we live smack dab in the middle of the city, not the country. All my life I thought it only possible to see owls like these in the country, in open fields, and around barns. Not in the middle of the busy city. And certainly not in my own backyard. It's amazing I tell you.

We have the pleasure of offering a pint size swimming hole for the owls that live in the field behind our house. And I kid you not, it's exactly like a scene from a Harry Potter book. Around dusk, you will see owls swooping across the yard, and into the trees. The only difference is these owls are not carrying a letter, they are looking for a way to cool off, and quench their thirst.


Here in our oak trees, they wait patiently while surveying the yard, waiting for a safe time to make their move. They will actually get right into the bird bath, stand and cool off, and get a drink. They are the cutest things.





My husband never stays inside for very long, he is always outside doing something, and he was the one who first noticed these little guys a few summers ago. Few people experience the magic of these creatures because at dusk, most people are either having dinner, watching TV, or inside for the night. I am really glad he noticed these owls, because I can only tell you what a wondrous site it is to watch them swoop among the trees, without making a single sound, coming to our yard to enjoy the fresh cool water my husband never fails to provide for them. It's like magic. I tell you, it is exactly like the scenes in Harry Potter.

And what a shame it would be to miss out on seeing these little guys if we had never ventured outside after dusk. Make the time to turn your television set off, grab a flashlight, and discover the wondrous things your own backyard might behold. I promise, you will be amazed.

The wise old owl sat in the oak.
The more he heard, the less he spoke.
The less he spoke, the more he heard,
Why aren't we like that wise old bird?
~Author Unknown

7 comments:

  1. How fascinating! Thanks, too, for reminding me of that wonderful childhood poem.

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  2. You are so Incredibly Blessed to have that experience with the owls! I would truly love that...we live in the woods...I hear them but never get to see them...THANKS for sharing that!!

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  3. Hi~
    Thanks for stopping by my blog and for your sweet comments.

    How lucky you can witness the owls in your yard on a regular basis! We have owls around here but we only see them now and then...

    Come back and visit me again and I will do the same!

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  4. What great pictures! That is a real treat. I would be out there every night looking for them.

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  5. The Owl pics are so cool....I am soo waitin for the weenee dogger special tho'!

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  6. This is so cool! And, they keep coming back to your house? I didn't owls did that. You're so lucky to get these pictures and to see the owls.

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  7. How wonderful you have pictures of the owls. I've heard we have them in our area from time to time. I haven't seen them, but I've seen remains of pigeons that we think owls got hold of. People put plastic owls on their roofs and fences to scare off the pigeons, but the pigeons are too smart for that.

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Sometimes someone says something really small, and it's like it fits into this empty space in your heart!

Thank you for stopping by and leaving your thoughts here, they really mean a lot to me!

Suzanne

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