Tuesday 30 August 2016

Algarve and the Little Owl.

I hope you will forgive my indulgence in showing you photos of the same owl, in very similar poses. I was just so elated to see the Little Owl, when we were traveling the dirt roads of the Alvor Estuary. We were in the car, when I saw something dark fly up into what I thought must be a tree, as our vision was obscured by some tall bushes, and it was still some distance away. With care I walked slowly to where I thought it must have landed, but saw nothing, and then as I looked towards an old Pylon, there in the darkness of a small recess sat the owl. He was looking at me, with those large eyes, and  I took these shots as quickly as I could, for fear he would fly away.
 
 

The Little Owl   Athene noctua
 

This little Owl is about the same size as a thrush.
 

It hunts at dusk but can be seen perched on fence posts, or high wires etc during daylight.
 

his penetrating stare was so intense,....
 

as his piercing eyes met mine...
 

but he is just so adorable and..
 

it was a lucky encounter that...
 

I will never forget!
 
SATURDAY'S CRITTERS
I'D RATHER B BIRDIN, WILD BIRD WEDNESDAYS

40 comments:

eileeninmd said...

Hello, what a cute little owl! Great sighting and photos!

Happy Tuesday, enjoy your day and the week ahead!

matti niilola said...

Hi. Little owl watching what you are doing. Stunning photographs.

MadSnapper said...

he is adorable and I would have taken all the shots and posted all he pics and each one shows something different on him. we once had 2 small owls sit in the tree in our yard. they were only about 6 or 7 inches tall. no pics

Phil Slade said...

That was good work in seeing something fly up and then following it up by looking more closely. I haven't seen a Little Owl for months and I think they may be having a poor year.

If you have a barn and voles, try a Barn Owl box - size and situation via a Google.

David M. Gascoigne, said...

I think we all sympathize with your desire to show the owl as much as possible and we identify with it. Owls are very special birds and every sighting is reason to rejoice. Congratulations on, first, spotting the bird and, second, getting the photographs. And most of all, thanks for sharing with us.

Lois said...

The little Owl posed quite nicely for you! What an adorable bird. You could never share too many pictures of this cutie!

Michelle said...

Awww....LOVE seeing this owl. Such expressive eyes!

TexWisGirl said...

they are wonderful creatures.

mick said...

Great photos of the Little Owl. It is a beautiful bird and you were lucky to see it and also to get such a wonderful series of photos.

Cloudia said...

Adorable AND fierce!

Len said...

What a spot! Many years ago,I went to an Owl Sanctuary in The Cotswolds where they had bred a Little Owl chick from an incubated egg because its parents had apparently abandoned their nest or been killed.

susan said...

very pretty owl good shots

Margaret Birding For Pleasure said...

he is so adorable sitting up there

Marijke said...

Fantastic photo's Sonjia. It must be great to see it right in front of you. At the begin of June we had an owl with his young's in a tree at the street where I live. I never had to chance to see them in the dark but it was great to hear the sound of the owls in the middle of the night.
Have a wonderful day.

Nancy Chan said...

Cute owl with piercing eyes! It is watching you too!

Stuart Price said...

Nice! I haven't seen a Little Owl for many many years.............

baili said...

you did nice job to share these cute pics with us dear

owl is so intense and controversial here but i am kind of fan of this creature

Prunella Pepperpot said...

Gorgeous captures. He looks as though he is watching you too!
Have a wonderful Wednesday :)

Gosia said...

I love the owl I have never seen it personally face to face

Aritha V. said...

Aaaah, we all like here all this owl photos. Thank you so much.

Richard Pegler said...

You can always capture my heart with an image of a Little Owl, Sonjia! They are my favourite of all birds!! Thank you for sharing this moment with us.

DeniseinVA said...

I would also be incredibly excited to come across this sweet little owl. You captured him beautifully and thank you for sharing all these wonderful photos. An opportunity like this doesn't come along every day. I would have probably fallen out of my shoes at the sight of him ;)

Mike Attwood said...

Hi Sonjia,
Lovely shots of a lovely bird. I had one living in my home several years ago. I had to get it used to people. It was captive bred and was going to live in a Bird of Prey centre. I visited it more than a year later and it recognised me straight away and got inside my jacket and refused to come out. I became part of the show after that, a time that I thoroughly enjoyed.
Regards Mike.

Christine said...

Oh how lucky to find him and take his photo for us all to enjoy! He really does have an intense stare but he is so pretty! Loved these photos!

Debbie said...

Oooooh how exciting!! Your images are beautiful, it seems he/she surely had their eye on you!!

NatureFootstep said...

I think that Little owl framed itself. It looks great in there. Lucky you to find it :)

Ana Mínguez Corella said...

Little owl...
I love all .. I congratulate

Lowcarb team member said...

Lovely to see these

All the best Jan

Екатерина Балагурова said...

Great shots!! Very cute owl))

BumbleVee said...

makes you wonder when they ever get to do any sleeping.... awake all day on the lookout, and all night too doing some hunting....

a cute little guy....

Connie Smiley said...

What a cutie! Love your story and photos.

Tony McGurk said...

Great shots of this beautiful Owl. The Spiderman song comes to mind for some strange reason...
Pylon Owl, Pylon Owl
Most incredible Pylon Owl

eileeninmd said...

Hello, awesome sighting of this cute little owl. Great collection of photos. Thank you for linking up and sharing your post. Happy Saturday, enjoy your weekend!

carol l mckenna said...

What a gift for you and us ~ Gorgeous photography of the little owl ~ !

Happy Weekend to you ~ ^_^

Anni said...

I am so jealous!!! Adorable...simply adorable. So wide eyed and beautiful too. Excellent post today.

I'm a bit late in getting over to visit with you this weekend...hope all is going well, and thanks for adding your blog to the linking tool at I'd Rather B Birdin'.

~Lavender Dreamer~ said...

Oh my goodness! What a tiny owl! Makes you wish you could keep one for a pet! It's SO cute!

Stewart M said...

These are great little owls - they used to breed near my house as a kid - its been a while since I have seen one!

Cheers - Stewart M - Just back in Melbourne!

Helma said...

Oh ..... what awesome to be able to photograph this little owl so beautiful.
You ahd really lucky to see these magnificent, undulating little owl. He has a nice spot. He looks at you cheeky
Kind regards

orchid0324 said...

Dearest Sonija; How ADORABLE the little owl is♫♫♫ And in all photos, its eyes are focused on you :-)
And I never knew the word "Pylon”; without the word, I wouldn't know what it is (^_^)v
I hope you are having a wonderful week♪

Sending Lots of Love and Hugs from Japan to my Dear friend in Portugal, xoxo Miyako*

Teresa said...

Muy bonito. Un beso.

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