With more travels last week in California and
the Pacific Northwest, and a busy time
snapping photos of friends and scenery, I almost
missed posting for Donna's July Photo Challenge.
Shame on me when I have so many photos of beautiful
birds viewed around the world........and I love all birds.
Here's looking at you!
How can I resist when this handsome owl truly did appear
to be staring straight at me.
Taken at the World Owl Center at
Muncaster Castle, Cumbria, England - May 2011.
Camera - the old faithful Olympus SP-590UZ using the
pre-set scene 'Bird Watching'. Added a little
sharpness with PicMonkey.
My favorite bird in sub-Saharan Africa is the
Lilac-breasted Roller. This particular one was viewed on
a dead tree branch in the cold harsh sunlight of an early,
almost winter, morning on a game drive at Mala Mala,
South Africa in June 2012.
Used the Canon 7D set on P (still need to work with the DSLR!) and a little tweaking with PicMonkey.
Below - the amazing colors of this bird in flight - a
difficult shot to capture but you get the idea of the
beauty of the underside.
Taken at Abu Camp, Botswana, June 2012.
Linking to Donna at Cottage Days & Journeys monthly
Hope you'll visit and perhaps join in.
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Breath taking photos with a wonderful post, Mary! The owl eyes photo is truly perfection...enjoy your day!
ReplyDeleteI love these! Isn't it wonderful to see owls up close at centers like the one you visited? The framing of the composition is spot-on, and the feathery details are amazing to see. And the colors on the roller are truly a delight. Great job, as always. And I'm glad you could jump in on this one, despite your busy travel schedule.
ReplyDeleteWOW!! Amazing shots Mary!! Thanks for sharing them with us. I LOVE the owl's big-eyed stare - so perfectly focused, I just want to pat those feathers!! The colorful underside of the bird in Botswana is really something too! Isn't nature wonderful?! Such beauty for us to enjoy...
ReplyDeleteWonderful to see an owl so close...just amazing details of pattern and colors. If you hadn't shown me the Lilac-breasted Roller, I'd never have seen one. Now those are some exquisite colors and the shape of the tail is unique.
ReplyDeleteThese are all just amazing, my friend! We were just watching our DVDs of the No. 1 Ladies Detective series filmed in Botswana. What amazing scenery and wildlife! Enjoy your weekend!
ReplyDeleteLove your beautiful owl and the Roller is gorgeous. Great captures! Happy weekend to you!
ReplyDeleteWow! Mary these are amazing shots and I am a complete Owl lover. I have never seen even a picture of a Lilac Breasted Roller so this is a real treat for me to see it both perching and in flight. I love wings!
ReplyDeleteEye to eye with the owl is amazing and I love the colours of the lilac-breasted roller. What a beautiful bird.
ReplyDeleteJudith
Oh my gosh! Stunning shots! I was almost startled when I scrolled down and saw that owl glaring at me :) A beautiful shot of the roller - what colours! Thanks for a lovely visit!
ReplyDeleteSuch beautiful choices for the photo challenge. Birds have the most beautiful and colourful feathers don't they?
ReplyDeleteOwls are right near the top of my favourite birds list. You have captured amazing detail in these shots. I love them!
ReplyDeleteStunning shots, as always, Mary. I love the first owl photo he really is staring at me! The colours of the Lilac-breasted Roller are something else, truly amazing.
ReplyDeleteThanks for coming over to welcome me back after my 6 week break, I think perhaps my blogging mojo has returned and I'll be checking out this challenge for sure.
Fantastic owl photos, great shots for the challenge.
ReplyDeleteBoth birds are stunning. I loved being greeted by that beautiful owl.
ReplyDeleteI do believe you met the challenge beautifully.
Your posts are AMAZING:) and they make me smile everytime I visit in here.
ReplyDeleteCheck out my blog....If you want to see a beautiful Swedish country styled house:)
have a great week dear
LOVE Maria at inredningsvis.se
(sweden)