If only we could all sleep as peacefully and soundly as a cat. If we could wake up as alert and ready for action as well, that would be a bonus. Zaz wishes everyone as good a night, and as sound and restful a sleep as you can manage.
My gallery of cat photos can be seen here.
Winter’s coming and it’s getting colder for us and for all the wildlife around, including birds like this one. Here’s a challenge for all birders: what do we think this is? At first I thought ‘owl’ but on looking at it more closely I don’t think it is. I asked a local birder by email, with no response, but there were a few suggestions as to possibilities. This was taken through my living room window a few winters ago. The answer as to the identity is given below the next section if you want to see if you guessed correctly.
You can visit my animal photos, including birds, at my Animals gallery here.
It is a Red Tailed Hawk, fluffed up from the cold. It was difficult to be sure, as mostly these birds migrate south for the winter. In Nova Scotia, however, they stay year round. If you guessed that, then well done!!
Today is a good day for a barred owl photo. When we had bird feeders in our front garden, we used to see hawks waiting in the branches to pounce on unsuspecting goldfinches and the like which I didn’t appreciate. Owls, though, come out later and so they watch for mice that are probably making nests in our car brakes and the like. They’re welcome to them.
On one occasion (maybe this one), that owl was sitting on that branch when a squirrel ran almost up to him! It stopped in surprise and beat a hasty retreat. The owl didn’t move. It just watched it go. It happened too fast for me to catch it in a picture.
I have to say, one of my favourite moments, walking in the woods was when an owl flew right over my head, going ahead of me and landing on a branch a few yards away. The amazing thing was that it was absolutely silent. But I thought I felt the air from its wings as it flew over me, so close. What marvellous creatures they are.
I love this face. Here’s looking at you! Happy Owl Day.
You can see more of my animal and bird photos on my Animals gallery here.
Zaz lives in a home where there are no dairy products, nor meat, but she has found her favourite tipple – hemp milk! She waits impatiently when she hears me stirring the milk jug before pouring out the measure, then has to lick the spoon (both sides) then the measuring cup. This treat comes second only to the pleasure of licking out the lentil pot! If she could get her head out of the cup she would wish everyone a great Caturday!
More cat photos can be seen in the Cats Gallery here