Monday, October 27, 2008

Give A Hoot

Today's Wonder of the World is...the Owl!

Flickr photo by ianmichaelthomas
Aren't owls such interesting creatures?
I've loved them ever since I met this guy.

Remember Mr. Rogers' friend X the Owl? Remember his letters from the Owl Correspondence School and his brief stint as a salesman for Cornflake S. Pecially?
I also liked A. A. Milne's fellow.


Who was it that said of him, "He respects Owl, because you can't help respecting anybody who can spell Tuesday, even if he doesn't spell it right"?

Owls make hilarious facial expressions. They make me wonder what they're thinking.
I enjoy putting words in their mouths. Like...

Flickr photo by Dysartian
"You've got to be kidding."


Flickr photo by hawkgenes
"Duh."

Or maybe not.
Whatever he said, she thinks it's funny.

Flickr photo by Rick Leche

I can't tell if this guy is amused, or if he just needs coffee.

Flickr photo by bocavermelha-l.b.
Or a comb. And some hairspray.
I guess we'll never know what's going on inside their owl minds. No wonder they're thought to be so wise!
After all, as Edward Richards once wrote,

"A wise old owl sat on an oak:
The more he saw the less he spoke;
The less he spoke the more he heard;
Why aren't we like that wise old bird?

Are you a fan of owls? Or do they freak you out?
Are there famous owls I haven't mentioned? I know you wise owls out there can come up with a few!

Have a wonder-full Monday, y'all! Owl be back tomorrow!
In the mean time, enjoy this short clip of a man and his owl. Even if you don't speak French, it's beautiful to watch!



Love, Becky

22 comments:

Bobbie said...

Oh, I LOVE owls, especially the tiny little pygmy ones that you just want to put in your pocket. I also like the burrowing owls because I love the idea of an owl poking its head out from a hole in the ground to see what's going on out here.

Many years ago, I was out for a walk with a friend of mine and we heard a loud (I mean loud, loud) screeching that kinda freaked us out considering the fact that we were on a country road well past midnight. We could tell it was an animal of some sort, but it was Just. So. Loud. As we got closer to the source, we looked up and saw probably a dozen or so large owls up on rows of telephone wires. It was the most surreal experience b/c it's not like owls come in flocks. But there they all were, screeching away above us at 2 in the morning. Pick whatever culture you want, and I'm sure that could have been the harbinger for something major.

But it was also simply really, really cool.

Suzie said...

Such cool photos owls are so neat.

Unknown said...

Owls were my favorite animal when I was eleven. Everyone gave me owl figurines and I mean EVERYONE! I don't know what happened, but my owl collection has seemed to disappeared. That's okay with me though...I learned a valuable lesson. Never tell anyone that you LOVE a particular animal as that is ALL you will ever get for EVERY gift giving event...it's good to be free of the owl gifts, although I still appreciate their beauty and "wisdom" as we call it, thanks for the lovely owl pictures.

Felicity said...

Have you ever heard someone referred to as acting owly? I'm not sure this is even an owl reference. My father in law will use it when one of the kids is a little crabby or emotional: "She's just feeling a little owly today."

Rosemary said...

This is funny, because the other night an owl was keeping me awake. He was hooting for so long. I loved hearing it though. Owls are beautiful animals. I have several owls around the house for Halloween.
Have a great day Rebecca!!
Rosemary

David Ebright said...

I WONDER how it was decided that owls were 'wise'. One of my favorite songs to sing to my grandkids is by Kenny Loggins - Return To Pooh Corner.....

Winnie the Pooh doesn't know what to do

Got a honey jar stuck on his nose

He came to me asking help & advice

And from here no one knows where to go

So I sent him to ask of the OWL if he's there

How to loosen a jar from the nose of a bear......

The story Winnie The Pooh was written in the 20s - the characters derived from a kid's (Christopher Robin Milne) stuffed toys. Isn't imagination awesome???

Wise old owls - they just know everything....

Kat said...

My boys are gonna love this post! They are obsessed with owls and you have some beauties shown here. Wow!

Unknown said...

What great photos of owls!
My son and I were just learning about owls and my appreciation for them has deepened considerably!

Anonymous said...

I love them in flight. Magnificent birds.

Susan said...

This is a wonderful post. I have never seen an owl in person. I have always wondered about the appeal of this bird, now I think I understand.

Susie Q said...

The joy of stopping by to visit you is overwhelming. I always smile, laugh and learn something!
Not a bad combo is it!?

I LOVE owls. I a IN love with the one in Harry Potter. I want him! *smile*

Very cool pictures...as always.

Love,
Sue

Adrienne said...

I love owls! I just finished painting some for Halloween.

Fete et Fleur said...

Love the owl video! They are amazing creatures.

Nancy

May Vanderbilt said...

Now I'm wondering what the French think owls say. Do you know, Becky?

I think we think they're wise because they always seem to be asking, Who? Who? Who?

I love how they can turn their heads about 360 degrees. So freaky!

Rebecca Ramsey said...

Hey folks! So much owl love!
To answer some questions...
Felicity, I've never heard of acting owly. Hmm. Interesting!
Jaxpop, you've got me singing that song--I do love it. And Winnie the Pooh--the characters are so real to be Christopher Robins animals! I know people just like them!

May, a French owl says hou-hou. And an owl is either a hibou (one with noticeable ears) or a chouette (without.) Chouette, n'est-ce-pas?
(Get it? The word for owl and for cool are spelled the same way!)

Pamela Terry and Edward said...

Wonderful, wonderful, wonderful!! I simply adore these creatures!

Angela K. Nickerson said...

About a year ago, as I was going to bed I suddenly had the sense that someone was watching me. I put on my glasses and there -- about 3 feet outside my bedroom window -- was an enormous white owl staring in at me. I got out of bed and got as close to the window as I could without scaring him. It was amazing! He sat there and watched for nearly 15 minutes before winging away into the night.

I almost wondered if it was Athena sitting there waiting to impart some wisdom...

Linda Summerfield said...

I can appreciate them from a distance or with glass between us.

Alexandra MacVean said...

Hey....what about the tootsie roll owl??? ;)~

CC said...

I love owl pictures and these do not disappoint!

lotusgirl said...

Owls are chouettes and chouette! I love them too!

Siddhartha said...

I'm fond of owl, it symbolizes wealth in our country.