Life here is filled with surprises and delight and this morning was no exception. Hibou is the word for owl while Chouette is one with tufted ears.
When my neighbour, Gait, came out his door this morning he was face to face with a little visitor. He took a photo with his phone and stopped to show it to me on his way to walk his dog. He said it was still there and to take my camera so I shall share with you the pictures I was able to get.
He/she made no attempts to fly off and the agency that deals with bird rescue has been contacted. For the time being, Gait has placed it in the container and covered it loosely.
The owl did not seem to object to being petted or when picked up. However, we felt it best to let it rest now until the experts arrive and can assess the owl’s health. Being nocturnal, we assume it would be more comfortable out of the bright sunlight at least.
While I know little about owls, I find them fascinating and if there was a magical bird, it would have to be an owl. The first time I got this close to one was in my youth while staying in Canada with my grandmother. While walking through and undeveloped area on my way to the local swimming pool, there was a snow white owl perched on a fence. It took my breath away and I couldn’t wait to get back and tell my grandmother about it. Swimming took a backseat that day.
The feathers are so very soft… like a small chick.
Don’t forget to click on the photos to see them enlarged. No doubt there are some of you out there who know much more about these fascinating creatures and perhaps even the type of owl this is. If so, I would love to hear from you. I hope you have enjoyed this little visitor to our village.
Bisous,
Léa
found-in-france 
Wow, I hope the little guy is OK ~ such a beautiful bird and great that you took such good care of him/her 🙂
Thank you. I’m glad you enjoyed him/her and while it seemed okay, I will feel better when it is in the hands of the experts so that they can assess.
sooo cute and sweet… j’aime bcp les hiboux!!! ❤ merci pour ce post mignon, Léa… 🙂 ❤
Merci beaucoup Chère amie! 🙂 xxx
What a special day for you! I love owls too. So perhaps it was Hedwig you saw, before she went to be with Harry 🙂
If so, she is still here as they have not arrived for her yet. Now I shall see if she will give me a poem as well? 🙂
I thought about the white owl you saw in Canada 🙂 Is the one you met today ok? I am sure your poem will be fascinating!! 🙂
Sorry, yes, this one seems to be fine but we are still waiting on the experts. In the meantime it is safe and if necessary we shall take it to the local vet. However, we feel that it would be better off with those who specialise and there are groups here that care for, raise and educate people about birds of prey.
Sounds wise 😃
We won’t take any chances and the rescue people said that it seems to be okay where it is until they can get someone out here. :))
What a lovely little creature….doesn’t at all conjure the image “bird of prey”….
I agree. Perhaps there is a poem there as well?
Some years ago (many) I wrote a small chapbook of poems in French, now out of print, entitled “Le Petit Hibou Au Coeur”….
Perhaps the time has come to bring it back out in print? I would certainly like to read it.
thank you for the encouragement….I just might do that!:-)
Put me down for one! I shall forward to it so keep us posted. 🙂
Such a beautiful bird. I have always loved owls, so imagine my glee when a great snowy owl visited us here on Perry’s Point last winter. The only thing is that where it is a predator and huge, they have been known to attack cats and small dogs. I kept Maisie and Viv in that day.
I am no expert but think this one was rather young and certainly the smallest owl I’ve ever seen.
What a gorgeous creature. And he camouflages so well against that background in the top photos!
Your visitor looks so soft and nice – I’d be tempted to keep him. That must have been quite a surprise for your neighbor to open the door and see him there.
Ah yes, but no doubt it would be happier to be free! Yes, he was surprised but delightfully so.
what a beautiful little creature, I think maybe to bring a message of some kind 🙂
Thank you for sharing your photos,
Take Care…You Matter…
)0(
maryrose
Merci beaucoup et a votre santé!
Oh what a beautiful little bird and what a fabulous experience for you to see him/her so close up. I do hope it is ok and Im sure it will receive the proper care it needs, bless it’s little heart. Beautiful photos, thank you for sharing this with us! Xxx
Thank you Christine! Yes, it is adorable. It seems there are a few owl experts around here and they knew about feeding… I’m glad others enjoyed our little visitor as well. Xxx
Update: I just spoke to my neighbour and the bird protection people said to leave it where he found it. It was obviously not an adult and that if it was out there the parents would return for it in the night. At about three in the morning the heard the very loud sounds of more than one owl and the visitor was gone this morning. We also were informed that there is at least one owl family in the trees across the river. I am just happy that the little one is reunited with its family. Xxx
What a gorgeous story Lea and such a beautiful bird. We adore Owls, Willow and I and she is writing a story about an Owl. So lucky to see it up close. I also loved hearing about the white owl. I would have been transfixed too. So glad your little friend found his way home. Love the photos.
Owls just seem magical to me and this one is missed but I am happy it is where it belongs.
We rarely see them up close but if we see one even from far away its a buzz for us.
I’ve only been that close twice and the first time I hesitated and didn’t touch it. This time, I did. So soft! I won’t soon forget it.
Oh, Lea, this is a wonderful post! Your pictures are gorgeous, and I was so glad the owl was taken care of. Only once have I come across an owl during the day, and it had been injured and was hiding in the lower branches of a tree. The Humane Society came to the rescue, but the owl’s injuries were too severe, so this post was a happy surprise.
Marilyn, I’m so glad you enjoyed our little visitor. We are relieved for the outcome but grew quite fond of it during its brief time here. One never knows as we were told the family of owls reside in one of the clumps of trees just across the river. Of course we don’t see them at night when they are about. 🙂
What a lovely little fellow or lass! I wouldn’t begin to know the difference between young owls. 😉 I’m glad to hear the parents came to the rescue!
We couldn’t tell either. 😉 Yes, the parents arrived in the wee hours, being owls, and did quite a bit of screeching! Perhaps scolding their offspring? 🙂 All’s well…
Just as you said – so cute! Just adorable! Looks like the eyes are blue, or is it just the picture?
I have yet to see a white snowy owl here in Canada, I have only seen pictures. They are beautiful!
In was in Vancouver, North Burnaby and there was some undeveloped area between my grandmother’s house and the indoor pool. It was some time ago… 😉
Gorgeous creature. 🙂
Glad you thought so too!
Oh he is soooo wonderful Lea!
Cindy, I thought about you and your wonderful photography skills when I saw him.
Reblogged this on Rattiesforeverworldpresscom.
Reblogged this on poetry, photos and musings oh my! and commented:
Hibous/Chouettes (types of owls) seem to be involved in an increasing number of blog posts so I have decided to reblog this old post from one of my other blogs.
How beautiful Lea… so pleased it ended well..
Thank you, Sally.
Thank you for sharing your pictures of little owl, and I was glad to read that he was reunited with his family.
Yes. It was a relief and his brief visit was a delight unmarred by any harm to the owl.
🙂
🙂