Baby Valentine~

On By cindy knokeIn Birds, Conservation, HOLLER HAPPENINGS, MY PHOTOGRAPHS, REVERIES, Wild Life


Sleepy owlet Valentine wears his heart on his face. (Click to enlarge and see Valentine better).

Mama has left him, and it is his first day alone, out of his nesting box.

Valentine doesn’t know what to do,

so he decides to fly down near the human,

watch her out of one eye,

until he falls asleep, clinging to his cactus bed.
Cheers to you from Valentine the confused little owlet~

Note: We have a barn owl nesting box at The Holler, usually woodpeckers nest in it, but this spring a barn owl family actually moved in. Valentine is their chick. I kept an eye on him for his first 24 hours out of the box, which was easy because he seemed quite unafraid of me. I think he was a bit shocked and confused. He passed his second night last night, and I could hear him in the oak groves. Today I haven’t seen him, but have heard him in the trees, so I think he is starting to figure things out.

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346 thoughts on “Baby Valentine~”

    1. Aww, thank you Frank!
      Valentine is here again tonight. He lets me see him. He has a sib. She flies at the merest hint of me. Mama is around too which surprised me. She is so beautiful, and SO BIG! She avoids me too. Only Valentine seems to not be worried about me. The good deal is, if mama likes it here, she will re-nest here next year, which will be a major thrill, because it is such a huge honor to have them here.
      Be well my friend~

      Reply

  2. Several years ago, my neighbour found a baby chouette (owl) similar to this one in your excellent photos. I did a post about it including photos. Thank you for taking me back to that special event. We have many owl families living in the trees just across our river. <3

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  17. Wow, this little Owl is a absolutely beautiful subject and you have mastered the capture of it’s beauty with you camera! So good … 🙂

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  23. He will have to learn fast. What a wonderful gift to finally have barn owls in your barn owl box! Not seen one around here in Spain and they have become quite rare in the U.K. Let’s hope Valentine keeps the love going strong!

    Reply

    1. He is here on top of the box with his sibling every night, and is basically unperturbed by our presence. I have loved owls since I was a child, but had so little chance to to see them. Having them here is wonderful. Hugs to you my friend and sorry to hear about the declining populations in the UK. <3

      Reply

  24. Empty nest syndrome in reverse? What a shock for the little fella! Am sure he will learn and cope though, which always amazes me! Nature, if only we would follow the instincts!
    What a wonderful experience for you and thanks for sharing 💕

    Reply

    1. Thank you for such a thoughtful comment. Bird behavior reminds me of human behavior and I think we can learn a lot from them. Maybe we all need to get a little more bird-brained!!

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    1. Thank you! I just read today that the nature preserve abutting our property has been extended to well over 1200 acres, which means the wildlife will remain here unmolested. Hooray!!

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    1. Yes. Owls have always been elusive for me, so it is a major thrill to have them here with me everyday and night. Owlet should be popping on top of his box any minute now.

      Reply

  30. These are incredible pictures! This bird is beautiful! Owls are my favourite birds and I like to paint them and draw them as well as collect any and all figurines that I find that represents an owl. You are a magnificent photographer and chronicler of nature. Love your work!

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  31. Pingback: Angel Face~ |

    1. Yes indeed. It is a hard to describe the feeling when a wild creature lets you get close and sleeps in your presence. I find infinite patience in these situations. Thank you for knowing Vicki დ

      Reply
  39. Curt Mekemson

    What a delightful story and wonderful photos, Cindy. I’ve been reading about Snowy, the owl adopted, at least temporarily by the folks of Cypress in Orange County. I read about one professional photographer who has taken 20,000 photos of the arctic visitor. –Curt

    Reply

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