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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Beautiful images Cindy and what a sweet wee chick. We hope he will figure things out – it seems so different from the parental guidance other birds enjoy 💜
Thank you and yes, it does seem very different, and quite intimidating, I would imagine.
Fantastic photos. the owl is very sleepy 😀 Kind regards Alexander
He looked at me for a bit, but eventually find be quite boring, and snoozed off, which is pretty amazing. He was born and grew up in my bird area, where the feeders and fountains are, and I am always out and about. So maybe I felt like part of the environment to him.
Such especial bird, Cindy. This young one is in a safe place. Do you feed the baby?
I tried because we are in such a relentless and dangerous heat wave, but he wouldn’t take any food. I don’t think he knew what it was.
Amazing pictures
Thank you so much & Happy Saturday!
Welcome 😊 keep blogging
Beautiful photos…such a lovely owl
Thank you so much & cheers to you!
He looks like someone woke him up early and he hasn’t had coffee yet. This too shall pass.
He does look exactly like that! 😉
OWLstanding as always, my friend! ♡⊚▿⊚♡
🦉 ♡⊚▿⊚♡🦉
Absolutely superb – you can see every hair.
Very kind & much appreciated Diana. He is a beauty isn’t he!
What a gorgeous looking owl with the warm colors and cute heart face. It must be wonderful to have a family close by to observe. Thanks for sharing your wonderful photos Cindy!
Thank you more for appreciating him Brad & have a wonderful weekend!
My pleasure Cindy!
He’s adorable, Cindy.
Leslie
He is. I was thrilled he let me get close 🦉
Sweet little fellow…
<3 <3
Cindy, such lovely portraits and they make me feel calm and quietly tranquil. Thanks.
Owls do make one feel tranquil don’t they. They are magical creatures 🦉
How precious is that! You’ve captured him beautifully and he has captured my heart! 😀 <3
You have a sweet <3 and the critters know this. (So do I !)
An amazing creature… maybe evidence Something smarter than we are made things?
Absolutely, which is makes us full of wonder. Nature itself fills us with the wonder of creation.
Thank you Cindy for sharing the handsome Valentine being with us. He’s very lucky to be living near you!
Thank you more for appreciating the wild ones my friend. I feel so fortunate to live among them 🦉
Missed your photography Cindy. This series is at the top of my all time favorite ~ love it and glad I didn’t miss the gorgeous creature.
Ahhh, I am just very lucky to find friends like you, who love creatures like I do <3 🦉
Birds have one the steepest learning curves from hatching to being on their own. While “your” owl appreciated you watching over him on the first day, he didn’t tell you he already knew how to hunt. 🙂
Instinct should guide him through. I do think he was quite wise to nap for his first day outside his box, inside our fence, and near the human he grew up near. This kept him safe from the hawks and Great Horned Owls while he got himself rested and acclimated.
How truly wonderful. I hope Valentine finds his way. Your photographs have given me such pleasure. A beautiful owlet, who has moved into my heart. Thank you Cindy, for always making the world a wonderful place. <3
Awww, you are a dear friend and a wonderful person. Hugs to you my friend & be well <3 🦉
Pingback: Baby Valentine~ — | Rethinking Life
You have the best adventures! And you have a marvellous way of sharing the story. Hugs!
Someday Rebecca, you must come and visit The Holler. We will have a Hollerific good time! 🦉
Such a dear and special post. Thank you Cindy for sharing Valentine with us 💕
Ahhh, thank you more Val for appreciating him! 🦉
Awesome!
He is, and I saw him last night on top of the owl box. Looking forward to seeing him tonight!
I think we have the same love for all animals.
We do! <3 🦉
How adorable!
He pretty much had me at the first HOO! 😉
Just Wonderful. I would love to be able to get photos of a barn owl. They have eluded me so far. Until then I will enjoy viewing these wonderful photos you have taken. Thank you.
They certainly eluded me as well, until Baby Valentine came along. Hoping you have an owlish encounter soon & lovely to meet you.
Thank you.
<3
So beautiful and regal! 🙂
And so calm and willing to have me near! 🦉
What a lovely owlet, it’s a gift to have him settle so near while he figures things out! I’m currently watching new gull parents cope with three chicks on a neighbouring rooftop, Mama is figuring things out fast, that’s for sure!
How wonderful! Birds are such devoted, indefatigable parents.
She’s fun to watch…yesterday afternoon all three babies came out from the safety of the nest to eat and explore!
Oh I would love to be there with my camera <3
I can see them out with Mom now, they are tottering about and stretching their wings…
<3 <3
https://superduque777.files.wordpress.com/2018/07/romantic-delicate-rose.jpg?w=950
Que linda! Muy amable y muchos gracias amigo mia! 🦉
Oh my gosh, so cuuuuute!
Yes he is, and I spied him last night with my flashlight, and will be listening for him tonight as well.
Lucky! 🙂
<3
stunning images
Thanks so much and very pleased you enjoyed them! 🦉
Such sweet sweet shots, Cindy!
Yes, thank you, due to the incredible sweetness of the subject.
Amazing photos!
Thank you! It is an amazing bird and I happened to be there. How lucky is that!
Beautiful short storie about life!
Tks.!
Ahhh, thank you my friend and be well <3 🦉
Reblogged this on Musings on Life & Experience and commented:
Pictures of Valentine, the baby barn owl by Cindy Knoke.
The owlet sibs (there are definitely TWO!) and I thank you for your support <3 🦉 <3 🦉
Awww… what a cutie. Even an owlet has big talons. Gorgeous photo. Cindy.
“What big claws you have little owlet!” <3 🦉
I love that, Cindy! 😀
<3 🦉
What an adorable and gorgeous Owlet! I adore owls! I hope he begins to get brave and spread his wings and learns well how to be on his own without his mama! Hugz Lisa
Guess what? He has a sibling! I thought maybe he did, because I heard two owlets calling several times but I never saw the second one. Last night, and the night before I used a flashlight because I know Valentine isn’t worried about me. Sure enough, there they both were on top of the owl, the sib flew away, but Valentine remained!
Yay that is so cool! Your photos of him are fantastic
<3 🦉
WONDERFUL!! Valentine is amazing special! Wow!
And there are two of them!!! Valentine has a sibling I have named Nervous as she is scared of me while Valentine is not. They both seem to be doing well! 🦉🦉
Very neat! <3
There’s a sweetness and vulnerability in his young owl they you have captured so well. May he remain safe and grow into stunning maturity. Great photos, Cindy. You deserve the trust he has placed in you.
Ahhhh, what lovely sentiments from a very kind person. Thank you & be well 🦉
These photographs are so beautiful, Cindy1
These photographs are so beautiful, Cindy!
Reblogged this on charles french words reading and writing and commented:
Here are more beautiful photographs from Cindy Knoke!
The Owls (Valentine & Nervous, yes, he has a fraidy-cat sister,) both thank you, as do I Charles. Your support and friendship make blogging wonderful 🦉🦉
Such a sweet creature! Wonderful photo, I hope he is thriving.
He is, and so is his sister! Yep, he has a sister, so he is not alone which is very nice 🦉🦉
Ahh, that’s so sweet. Love Owls (and all God’s creatures)
All creatures wise and wonderful <3
Indeed! <3
What fabulous photos, and so adorable!
We’ve had a sparrowhawk family nesting in a tree and it’s been wonderful watching the parents. Unfortunately we’ve never seen the offspring up close as the nest was too high to see into, and once fledged they’ve been feeding the chick(s) in nearby trees, also too far away to see clearly. It was still a special experience though, having the adults flying around so close to us for weeks.
I would so love to have hawks nest nearby. How lucky you are! Hopefully they will return each year to the same nest and since you didn’t bother them, they most likely will.
It is really special, no question about it.
They’ve nested there before, but its been about an 8 year break since last time. Hopefully they’ll come back sooner next time!
<3 <3
Another amazing experience in The Holler ! Stunning photo’s Cindy. I’m hoping he’s found his footing in this great big world. Hard to imagine that Cacti would be very comfortable 😀 I’d want to fly back to my fluffy nest and wait for dinner to arrive ! x K
He has a sister and they both seem to be doing well. I see and hear them every night now. Birds like cacti. They are good at navigating round the needles, and the prickles may function like a castle with a moat and drawbridge! Still, I’m with you. I want a comfy bed and a moat and drawbridge!
LOL, sounds very princess-y 😀 The Mr will need to be on a white stead of course, ha!
What a little doll!! If he’s still having trouble figuring things out, ship him to me — I’d welcome a baby barn owl with his heart-shaped face!!
He is adorable isn’t he and he has a sibling! I have named her Nervous as she is afraid of me, while Valentine is not. I have seen them together two nights in a row now and they seem to be doing well which is a big relief. 🦉🦉
Reblogged this on Smorgasbord – Variety is the spice of life and commented:
I know that this little owls face, captured by Cindy Knoke will stay with me for a long time… what an amazing creature and beautiful but still fragile as he clings to his piece of cactus… out in the big bad world for the first time.. lovely.
The 🦉🦉 and I are so grateful to you sweet Sally. Be well my friend & cheers to you! <3
I just love those shots. That little owl is picture perfect!
Thank you so much & cheers to you Kathleen 🦉
Oh, Cindy, Valentine is beautiful. So precious, much love and hope to the little one that he grows up to be as wise as his Mama. xxx
He has a sibling! I have seen them both two nights in a row now. He seems to be doing well and I am very pleased you like him Adele. Cheers to you & thank you 🦉
Fantastic photos 💜
Thank you!
Pingback: Baby Valentine~ – The Militant Negro™
Wow, look at that face! I couldn’t believe the heart shape face. And I didn’t know owls liked to hang out on prickly cactus! Thanks for the education my friend. 🙂 <3
The wild ones teach me stuff everyday. Happy to pass it on to someone who appreciates them, like you sweet friend <3
<3
A confused baby owl is asheartbreaking as any other confused young thing, of whatever species,
man or creature !!!
Yes! Thank you! Us humans are supposed to have an innate protective response to vulnerable living things. It seems like too many people may be missing this kinda core trait.