Monday, February 02, 2009

A rare visitor to the DragonFly garden


Tonight I photographed this owl perched on my hammock in my back porch. This is a first for me. I have lived in this house for twenty plus years and I have never seen an owl in this neighborhood since owls don’t usually frequent cities. I am glad it chose my garden for its visit!

What kind of an owl is it? My book, "Birds of Florida", is not very clear. It could be a Screech Owl or possibly a Barred Owl.

My wife named her Golda, after Golda Meir, the former prime minister of Israel. Don’t ask me why.

The pictures are not very good quality because most were taken from inside the house. We didn't want to disturb Golda or have her fly away.

13 comments:

Anonymous said...

I wonder what the owl found to entice it into your backyard? Perhaps there will be a few less rodents around. The last shot is full of personality.

Jan said...

Oh those are great photos, don't apologize! That is interesting that in all those years you've never seen one, I also wonder what might have drawn it it. It's rather cute, although I don't know what kind it is.

Yolanda Elizabet Heuzen said...

The pics are great so no worries, and what fun to have such a distinguished visitor coming to visit you.

Daphne Gould said...

Well screech owls are supposed to have prominent ear tufts, which I don't see, so it can't be that. It seems a little small for a barred owl though and doesn't have that distinctive face. Maybe it is a young barred owl that hasn't gotten all of its adult plumage? What they really look like is an elf owl, but they don't live anywhere near you and that owl looks too big (they are about 5"). Good luck figuring out what it is.

CanadianGardenJoy said...

Rusty ! That is amazing to have this beautiful little creature in your garden .. let alone your hammock ? LOL .. She ? needed a rest and decided your place was the best ? LOL
Great pictures and that is truly awesome : ) Joy

Kylee Baumle said...

Oh wow! I would be ecstatic to have photos like that! We have a Great Horned Owl that lives in the woods near us. Sometimes he comes into our yard and wow, is he LOUD! The woods is a half-mile away and we can hear him hooting very well from there, then when he's in our yard, it's enough to keep you awake.

Stan Tekiela has written a new book about owls that will be out in March. I can't wait to see it. He's a great photographer.

Congrats on the visit and the great photos!

Kylee from Our Little Acre

Susan said...

What a beauty! How lucky you are to have this creature visit. If I were Golda (she kinda looks like her), I would choose your yard, too!

Casey said...

That looks to be a Florida Screech owl. : ) Great photos!!

Anonymous said...

I agree, some great photos! I have an owl that comes around my back garden where I have my wall fountains. I'm not sure what attracts him there, but he's been around for about three years. I love owls, they're so peaceful and beautiful!

Cheryl said...

To have an owl in your garden Rusty is an honour....he will take any vermin (rats and mice).....they do a wonderful job...
I loved the photographs......

Rusty in Miami said...

Hi, Hubby:
Wife, here. I named her Golda because of something in the eyes just reminded me of the Iron Lady of Israel (did you know she had that moniker before Thatcher?) Also, great wisdom and a certain loneliness and aloofness. I'm sure our Golda is female--she just has that look about her! Very direct, penetrating eyes!
Maritza

Unknown said...

What excitement! Lovely photos, really. Owls are hard to photograph because they are so shy as a rule. I don't think it's a barred owl (we have those here)--she doesn't look quite big enough, but maybe another species that doesn't come up here.

My Little Family: said...

I didn't pull out my bird book but the smallest owl I have seen in FL was the burrowing owl that I've seen on golf courses. You might want to look that one up too.