The Messenger ~ Common Barn Owl

‘Willie’ -  Common Barn Owl

Willie was found on the ground in the spring of 2002 in Dallas.  The person who found her thought she needed help and took her home to raise her.  Unfortunately, she was fed cat food as she developed which caused a lack of calcium in her diet, her bones became brittle and fractures occurred in her right wing. This made her only partially flighted.  Additionally, she became ‘imprinted’ on humans and now relies on them for her care.

She was an ambassador on Super Saturday at Hagerman Wildlife Refuge and posed for some incredible photography shots. 

Did I save them or not?

These photos I took today after Deacon had his bath.  He is 5 1/2 months old here and cute as can be so I was happy that he was posing for me to take photos.   The problem I had was me not him!  I was trying to kneel down and not holding my camera solid so the photos were a bit out of focus.   BUT they are so CUTE!!  Were they worth the work to try and save them?   This first one has 3 layers of dry brush and I was happy that it actually resembles a portrait from a studio.

This Cutie Pie photo has better focus yet I liked the dry brush effect so much I gave this one treatment.

This has to be my favorite (I think for now), and it
also has one layer of dry brush.

We have just sold the ranch and bought a new house with escrow to close Dec 22!  Should be a wild December and doubtful I will get to do much photography, but I enjoy getting these special photo opps with my favorite new boy.   He is a mophead!
Now my afghan hound handle of mopheads can still be used.