“Stunned or Sleeping?”

“Stunned or Sleeping?”

Judy Royal Glenn Photography

Thursday before sunrise, while driving on Laurel Creek, I spotted something tiny in the road in the other lane. I passed by and immediately thought, is that an owl? I had to return to see if it was.

If the object were an owl, I did not want it to get hit by a car. It may have already been hit and just stunned or it could’ve been sleeping, but why wouldn’t an owl be sleeping on the road?

I finally found a place to turn around and returned to the object in the road. As I got closer, I noticed it was a screech owl. Screech owls are only 7 to 10 inches tall.

Since I parked in the middle of the road, I turned on my flashers. I took a video as I approached the owl. The owl never moved. I saw two cars approaching in the other lane, and waved my arms to slow them down and stop. I looked back to the owl. It turned his head, looked at me and flew away.

I was tickled to death. If I didn’t see anything else in Cades Cove, I would’ve been happy as a lark. Over several hours I shook my head at what I saw. I pray before I photograph and ask the Lord to show me or bring to me what he wants me to photograph. I also saw an immature bald eagle, a coyote, a bear, a bat, a wood duck, and plenty of deer and birds.

This morning, I didn’t know it would be to save a screech owl’s life. The Lord blesses me all the time!

Sorry it won't let me upload the video.

 To purchase wildlife and nature fine art prints, please visit my website:

https://www.judyroyalglennphotography.com

 

Location: Great Smoky Mountains National Park

A Second Chance

"A Second Chance"

Judy Royal Glenn Photography 

 

This Screech Owl looks normal from the side view, but he was given a second chance at life thanks to Callaway Gardens.  This bird and many others are part of the Birds of Prey Show at Callaway Gardens.

 

This owl received a head injury, and the right tuft feathers are missing.  People mistake these feathers as ears.  His ears are on the side of his head.

 

Click here for another photo from the Birds of Prey Show on my blog.

 

I found a little info about Callaway Gardens Birds of Prey Show on the internet:

"Callaway Gardens’ Birds of Prey program is presented with the permission of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Georgia Department of Natural Resources. Since its debut in 2000, the program has helped educate more than 1 million visitors about man’s impact on raptors and other forms of wildlife. These magnificent creatures – which cannot be released into the wild, due either to injury or having developed an unnatural association with humans, known as “imprinting” – demonstrate their strength, speed and natural instincts in daily free-flighted shows. Several birds appear at each show, swooping overhead and giving guests an up-close look“on the glove,” while our raptor experts explain how man’s actions affect their wellbeing." 

Whoooo's Looking At Who?

"Whoooo's Looking At Who?"  Photo by Judy Royal Glenn

Click on the photo for a closer view!

 

This owl was completely asleep when I walked up to his cage at the Bear Hollow Zoo.  As soon as I got my camera set up, he was peering around his box looking at me.  I feel sorry for the animals, but I know it is best for them because their injury or physical problems won't allow them to make it in the wild.  The owl is probably just as entertained by looking at me.