Hello to all,
Big Admission here: I dig the critters of air, water and land (see me with snakes and kids here).
At the Cache River Wetlands Center (same place with the snakes) they had a raptor show. Raptors are eagles, hawks, owls and vultures. Birds of Prey isn't considered the right term because even a little house sparrow will eat bugs (they're prey, too). All the birds they showed had been rescued and used to teach instead of being "put to sleep". They had a Turkey Vulture named Rex, a horned owl, screech owl, kestrel, red tail hawk, and a barn owl. I had no idea that wouldn't be the only barn owl I would see on our trip.
We stayed at the Lock and Dam #51 houses in Golconda. There was a lock and dam there that was blown up. The city rehabbed the 1920s houses and now rents them out for vacationers, hunters, fishermen and the like. I highly recommend a stay there.
This is the one we stayed in.
The dining room.
Anyway, I digress. Down the road that parallels the Ohio River is the building that held the machinery for the lock. Big sign said "Danger. Stay Out." So of course Mary and I went in it the first day. This is the front door taken at night. Remember the size of the empty window panes. They're important later.
On the final morning I went alone to take some pictures with the early morning sun. I stepped in the door and a shape whooshed past me, arced around - it was a big barn owl - tucked its wings and shot out through an empty window frame. Never had a chance to get my camera up, much less take a picture. Movement above attracted my attention. I looked up and saw - - -
I took some pictures and then got out of there. The owl was really frightened and I was afraid it would keep flying around and injure itself. I did go back with the better camera but it was gone.
And, that wasn't the final owl. That afternoon we went to see one of the bigger cypress trees in IL and saw three more owls in the woods. The picture isn't very good but you can see one of the owls.
Mother Nature gifted me that trip. I thank her.
Namaste, Wayne
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Comments: 8
The houses had a stunning view of the Ohio River, they were spotless clean, well furnished, and they had cable TV. Highly recommended.
Having to pick up the keys at the Sheriff's Office was a little strange.
Namaste, Wayne
I'm glad you were able to get a shot of the owls. I'm sure they weren't the easiest creature to capture on film!
Unfortunately it is 5.0. Not enough to get good close ups. A bummer for sure.
Namaste, Wayne
beautiful essay