Monday 17 July 2017

Algarve and the Little Owl.

As I was walking Mel one day, I passed the place where I had seen the Little Owl last year in the hope of seeing it again, but the old pylon must have been demolished, and been replaced by a new one. I was always on the lookout however, and then I saw it, or another Little Owl, perched on top of a pole, way out in the middle of a field, far from the road. Would you believe that I didn't have my camera with me!! As there was more traffic than usual, I had had to put Mel on her leash, so had left my camera in the car. Back at the car, I retraced my steps to the field, and as luck would have it the Little Owl was still there.


This is the road where I walk Mel.
 

At first the Little Owl appeared to be asleep, with it's eyes closed,...but as their eyes are light sensitive, I expect...
 

he was just protecting his eyes from the bright sunlight whilst moving his head from side to side, surveying the land.
 

I was delighted to have seen this Little Owl, and walked back to the car, with a spring in my step, never dreaming that I would see it again later in the evening.  

Americo taking photos of an ant colony,...
 

and this is his photo.
 

A male Stonechat
 

A Whitethroat Warbler.
 

Another encounter with a Little Owl on our way home. His eyes were wide open this time.
 

The light was not only fading, and  I was on the wrong side of the sun, to get really clear shots of the Little Owl.
 

Nevertheless I'm still glad I captured these images, and that he stayed long enough for me to get these four shots,...
 

and then he flew away, and I never saw the Little Owl again,...perhaps next year I will be just as lucky.
 
   WILD BIRD WEDNESDAY
GOOD FENCES
SATURDAY'S CRITTERS
I'D-RATHER-B-BIRDIN

48 comments:

Teresa said...

Te quedaron muy bonitas. Un beso.

Michelle said...

I think seeing an owl, like this, is a special find. Lucky you!

DeniseinVA said...

Wonderful photos of the owl and others. The shot of the ants was very interesting too and such a cute little dog.

The Furry Gnome said...

Owls are always something special to see.

Linda said...

Lovely photos! The owl is amazing!

LEN said...

Where we are holidaying is well known for its owl population but you were very lucky to see one in daylight and capture it skilfully with such clarity.I have only observed them at dusk in the Cotswolds.

Stuart Price said...

Wow haven't seen one of these for years............

Prunella Pepperpot said...

You got some wonderful shots of the owls and the ants!!
I'm in love with Mel. Dachshunds are amazing little dogs.
Have a great week :)

eileeninmd said...

Hello, I love the little owls. They are adorable birds. Love the cute dog too.
Great collection of photos. Happy Tuesday, enjoy your day and the week ahead!

hmuxo said...

Such a sweet story Sonjia! And it's amazing how you caught it on camera!!! Awesome photos!

MadSnapper said...

what and exciting day you both had, make that all three of you had. the owl is just so sweet and cute, with eyes shut or open. and I had no idea you had two photographers in your family. beautiful ant shot...hugs to Mel from Me... that winding road in the first photo is just beautiful

Jenn Jilks said...

So many owls!
I love them. I find our are very active 24/7!

La Biosfera de Lola said...

Preciosas fotos, es muy difícil encontrar un ave nocturna. Besos.

sami niilola said...

Little Owl is really gorgeous. Thanks for the wonderful photos.

matti niilola said...

Hi. I love that Little Owl. Superb photos.

This N That said...

Great shots of the little Owl..I guess they need sunglasses..

Rose said...

That little owl is just so sweet...how wonderful you were there to capture it!

Shiju Sugunan said...

Owls are interesting birds. Glad you were lucky.

Hootin Anni said...

Ohhhhhhhhhhh, sweet, sweet, SWEET owl! Love its eyes.
The stonechat, I've never seen...I bet they're pretty.
And taking photos of an ant colony....guess I'm not the only one that does this, then, huh?

Ranten said...

Lovely owl! We had the cat owl in the garden yesterday evning :-))

Sallie (FullTime-Life) said...

What a lovely walk! And the little owl was 'the icing on the cake'...really made it extra special. I rather like the ants too --- in the past, my husband and I have spent quite a bit of time watching them when we were doing trail walks. You do get some funny looks from people -- many are in such a hurry that they don't ever look down at the wonders at their feet!

susan said...

so pretty and sweet

Elephant's Child said...

I adore your photos, but the owl has won my heart. Too many owls would be barely enough.

David M. Gascoigne, said...

Any day when you encounter an owl is a special day. I suspect that since you have seen an individual in this area two years in a row a pair may well be breeding in the vicinity. I am sure you will always have a watchful eye and perhaps there are more discoveries awaiting you.

messymimi said...

He's a handsome one, i do hope you get to see him again!

Nancy Chan said...

The owl is cute and you managed to get so many poses. I like the cute puppy too.

Lea said...

Great owl photos!

NatureFootstep said...

seeing the osl on the fence you realize this owl is VERY little :) m glad it was still there for you to photograph :)

A Colorful World said...

Great little owls and other birds! Glad you saw so many different feathered beauties.

Bob Bushell said...

Beautiful images, especially the Little Owl, tremendous.

Linda said...

Aww, your owls seem friendly!

Helma said...

Beautiful are the pictures of the little owl.
I can also enjoy it very much when I see it.
The pictures of the other birds are also great to see.
I wish you a very nice weekend.
A hug

Lowcarb team member said...

I think there is something special about owls, and you've got some wonderful photographs.
I think the ant shot is interesting to see too.
Lovely post.

All the best Jan

Mike Attwood said...

Hi Sonjia, Lucky you to get so close to a little owl. I took care of a young female for a few weeks some years ago and it never forgot me, it used to get excited whenever we met, it would sit on my shoulder and tweet in my ear and try to get inside my jacket. Oh! Happy days.

Stewart M said...

Nice post - I hoped I would see LO during my time in the UK - but I missed out (sad face!) - but I did see Barn Owl, which I have not expected to see!

Cheers - Stewart M - Geneva, Switzerland

Sharon Wagner said...

I love all your critters today. Especially the owl of course.

eileeninmd said...

Hello, I am so happy you linked up this post. I just loved the adorable Little Owl. Awesome critters and photos. Thank you for linking up and sharing your post. Happy Saturday, enjoy your day and weekend!

Debbie said...

awesome captures but that cute little owl stole the show for me, lucky you!!

beautiful picture of your walking road as well!!!

FAB said...

Hi Sonjia. We also have Little Owls nearby BUT not always that easy to find!

Anonymous said...

Wonderful that you photographed the owl again. So sweet. And I love your little dog. For many years, we had a dachshund.

Tom said...

...what a delightful mix, from tiny to larger!

Rajesh said...

Fantastic shots of the owl.

Anni said...

Of course, I treasure my return visit as much as my first time to witness the owl. As I said as Hootin' Anni....oh those eyes.

The countryside is very pretty, and the stillness as you and I walked together once you had your camera with you...it was a joy!!

Thanks, as always, sharing this with us birders at I'd Rather B Birdin'. Have a glorious week ahead.

Phil Slade said...

Hello Sonjia. It's always good to see a Little Owl. I must admit though that they have become a little scarce around here. I think their nest holes get taken by other species - Jackdaw, Stock Dove to name but two.

How far away are the owls? And did you know they take readily to nest boxes if you have anywhere suitable?

http://www.barnowltrust.org.uk/barn-owl-nestbox/little-owl-nest-box/

Jeevan said...

Great to be found the owl again at that area and I think they get nice prey from the fields there to stay and come back this time. Lovely capture on the owl and other birds! Your dog is cute :)

Derek Biilington said...

Hi Sonjia, love the Bee eaters and the Little owls. There were lots of Little owls in the Luz area when we were there years ago. Keep up the good work xxx

Richard Pegler said...

Hi Sonjia. I nearly missed this post from you, but I'm so glad that I eventually found it. The Little Owls are, of course, my favourite. I don't know if you realise it, but that first owl is an adult, and the second one taken later that day is a juvenile - the owls have bred successfully!

With my best wishes to you and the owls - - - Richard

betty-NZ said...

What a wonderful collection of photos! I'm so glad you got the shots of the little owl.

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