Wednesday 21 December 2016

Wild Bird Wednesday 230 - Rufous Owl

This week must be the closest I have come to not being able to post a WBW!  Running a four day workshop in Indonesia, dealing with jet-lag and the (almost enjoyable) demands of a family Christmas almost flooded the banks of my possibility this week.  But here I am - 1 hour and 40 minutes out from Wednesday, setting up a post knowing full well that I have not replied to any comments from last week!

Christmas should be a time for tolerance, and maybe thats what I need!

So, now that the begging is over I will introduce this week's bird.  These are  Rufous Owls (Ninox rufa) and the picture were taken in the botanic garden in Darwin.  There are two birds in this post - the  bird doing the 'wing yoga' behind the leaves is a different bird to the one sitting in the open.  This species of bird is only found in the north of Australia - and this was the last new bird I saw on my trip 'up north'.  It was a remarkable way to end a week of birding.

This bird is abut 45 to 50 cm long, and is to say the least impressive.












As you can see, the second bird was a little more cooperative than the the first!

I like to wish all WBWers a happy time over the next weeks - in the coming year(s) I suspect that the natural world is going to need all the advocates it can find.

So, click the blue button and off you go - and with luck I'll be able to find the time to visit you all and reply to the backlog of comments!
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28 comments:

  1. Linda W.21 December 2016 at 02:53

    Wow - impressive bird! And great photos too!

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  2. Sallie (FullTime-Life)21 December 2016 at 03:27

    That is a wonderful owl and quite amazing to even find them, let alone get such good pictures.

    And You do not need to apologize for not visiting! Honestly, hosting every week when you're so busy is an amazing feat. I can't imagine I would have been able to even write a post back when I was a working parent. (Of course the Interweb hadn't even been invented back then in the dark ages.) ....

    Merry Christmas to you and the whole family and thank you as always for all you do.

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  3. Yamini MacLean21 December 2016 at 03:40

    Hari OM
    It's a beaut! Hope you can truly relax into the fun when you land back... have a tremendous time and let 2017 bring some hope of peace and the tolerance around the globe you seek for yourself at head of this post! YAM xx

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  4. NatureFootstep21 December 2016 at 03:45

    great images of the Rufous owl. We manage to see one at the Esplanade in Cairns, after trying three times. But it will take some time before I post it. I have 5 mpre days of birds before I get to that day. :)

    Wishing you a Merry Christmas :)

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  5. Silver Parrot21 December 2016 at 04:21

    What an amazing and unique-looking bird! I love those wide, staring eyes! No need to apologize for being busy - my goodness, you have kept quite the commitment getting this post & link up done every week and it is much appreciated.

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  6. Andrea @ From The Sol21 December 2016 at 04:35

    Feel free to call a time out ... there isn't a one of us who wouldn't understand. You still have children at home and that makes Christmas a really big deal and I know you want to dig in and enjoy every minute of it.

    Your Rufus Owl is like a Christmas gift for me. I have only heard of them and never had the opportunity to see one in person and I'm not sure I ever will unless I make it to Australia which I sincerely hope I will. So Thank you for this and for all of the work you put into your WBW ... I look forward to another year of your great pictures and comments. I am willing, however, to wait until after the New Year, if that would help you enjoy your family and you holidays to the fullest. So, Stewart, Merry Christmas to you and your family ... stay, safe and ... I was going to say stay warm, but then I remembered it is spring/summer there. Hmmmm, can't imagine Christmas without snow :)

    Andrea @ From The Sol

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  7. Author R. Mac Wheeler21 December 2016 at 04:46

    owls rock

    might fine shots

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  8. TheChieftess21 December 2016 at 04:52

    He is a handsome bird!!! Hope you have some peace in your hectic holiday!!! Merry Christmas!

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  9. Kenneth Cole Schneider21 December 2016 at 05:07

    Oh those eyes are amazing! Merry Christmas!

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  10. Brian King21 December 2016 at 08:29

    How beautiful! I love the second photo! And those eyes!

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  11. Rohrerbot21 December 2016 at 08:35

    HANDSOME!!!! Very nice!!!

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  12. Dave21 December 2016 at 09:50

    Any day you see an owl is a good day...any day you see an owl and get a few excellent photos is a GREAT day!

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  13. FAB21 December 2016 at 10:39

    Another interesting species from down under.

    Try to chill out Stewart and enjoy the festivities with your family.

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  14. This N That21 December 2016 at 12:05

    I just love Owls..Great shots..No birds to share this week..Christmas!!!..I called in sick for one gathering..Got iced out of another..Batting 1000 !!..2 more to go..I'm cooking :)
    I wish you and your family have a warm and Merry Christmas..I hope 2017 is good to you..

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  15. Lea21 December 2016 at 22:38

    Magnificent owls!
    Hope you have a wonderful Christmas!

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  16. eileeninmd21 December 2016 at 22:54

    Hello, what a beautiful owl. Awesome series of photos. Great find! Happy Wednesday, enjoy your day! Merry Christmas to you and yours!

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  17. Anonymous22 December 2016 at 02:15

    Stewart, how in Heavens name do you get these shots?!?!?!!? There's an owl in our woods, and for the life of me, I cannot get a pic!!!...:)JP

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  18. Florida Farm Girl22 December 2016 at 02:36

    What a lovely owl, Stuart. I really like that last shot.

    Merry Christmas to you and yours. I look forward to more of your WBW next year.

    And, oh, yes. The wild world needs lots of advocates now and they need to be more vocal than ever before.

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  19. Spare Parts and Pics22 December 2016 at 04:23

    A beautiful creature and great photos. I like all the different "poses" you captured. The last photo is my favorite.

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  20. photodoug22 December 2016 at 05:30

    Stewart, your capture is a Hoot. Thanks for sharing and Merry Christmas.

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  21. Linda22 December 2016 at 15:37

    "Who," he says, "Are you? Who?"

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  22. Maude Lynn23 December 2016 at 03:45

    Splendid captures, Stewart!

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  23. Beth23 December 2016 at 12:26

    My bucket list includes seeing an owl, any owl in the daylight.

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  24. Bob Bushell24 December 2016 at 20:14

    That is a Rufous Owls if I've ever seen one, great photos Stewart.

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  25. Phil Slade24 December 2016 at 21:04

    "Impressive" is the right word there Stewart. The owl's feet are simply huge. I guess it is able to take large prey. brill pictures. Thanks. happy Christams to you and yours, and thanks for the blog each week.

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  26. Lady Fi24 December 2016 at 21:10

    Owl have you know these are great shots! Merry Christmas - and keep cool!

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  27. Richard Pegler25 December 2016 at 03:29

    Truly awesome owls there, Stewart!! Excellently captured too!

    My best wishes to you and yours for a very Happy Christmas, and a healthy and prosperous 2017 - - - - Richard

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  28. David M. Gascoigne,26 December 2016 at 01:37

    Great shots of a very impressive owl.

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