Friday, May 18, 2012

Who Watches The Watcher?

Have you ever been walking a trail and feel like something is watching you intently? Here in the desert, if it's a Mountain Lion, you'll never know that they're stalking you until you're dead:) But sometimes.....just sometimes....I get that chill up my back......and look hoo it is:)
During this time of finals chaos, I escape to clear my mind. And as I got lost in my photography, I found yet another miracle in this Great Horned nest.  Instead of 2 owlets, I found 3!!!
They watched me carefully.  I was with my new friends Sally and Robert.  Sometimes you focus the camera in one area looking for the bird or animal and discover it's staring straight at you!  And sometimes I get goosebumps after I realize I've been watched for a long time.
And speaking of being stalked....last year I had an incident of being stalked by another human.  I'm only writing about it now because I am much more comfortable talking about it.  I had gotten sick to my stomache physically knowing that someone was following me around town.  I'm leaving some of the details out obviously but the police were involved.  We were at a party one night and I discovered a car sitting outside the home.  It became worse as the stalker went to my neighbor's houses.  When my loved ones became worried, I made the call to the police.  And it was an awkward conversation.  Thankfully it stopped.   I realized having a stalker isn't as cool as it sounds:)
This is adorable....the owlet is yawning:)
Now when wildlife "stalks" me or vice versa, I'm okay.  But another thought pops into my head, "How far would I go for the "shot"?  If a Mountain Lion charged me, I think I would stand taking pictures until I was eaten:)  And it's okay if I got eaten because I'm doing what I love PLUS it's one less person on this world.  I should clarify that it is highly unlikely to be charged by the elusive Mountain Lion.  However, there have been reports in the past of "stalking" at Sabino Canyon.  You'll see signs posted.  It's just something to be aware about....and these cases are usually related to a rabies outbreak.  Just be aware of your surroundings and of course, during this hot summer, bring lots of water.  Hike before 10 AM or after 4 PM. I will usually take my walks around 5 or 6 because I hate the direct sun.  But seriously, have you thought about how far you would go to get that "shot"?  And if you are that person, what was the experience?
I can't imagine my life without photography and birding/wildlife buddies like Sally and Robert.  I realize how precious life is and how every day has to count.  These owlets make me smile and clear my mind of all the crazy things that happen around me.  I will always be curious, like my cats, and I will always push the envelope until I can't anymore.  More tomorrow....

23 comments:

  1. What a great find, the owlets are adorable. I would mind being watched or stalked by an owl. Awesome photos. Have a great weekend!

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  2. Did you ever see that cartoon - a dead cat lies on the pavement outside a shop.
    'The Old Curiosity Shop'.

    Was the stalking blog related? Couple of blogs I read, retreated behind passwords and went quiet, because of stalkers. On G+ there were the 'nymwars. Women (especially with a history of stalkers) were not willing to follow the G+ rule of RL names.

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    1. I'm not sure. It was a bizarre thing and it didn't happen here where I live but back where my family lives. It was a little creepy. I'll have to check out the cartoon:)

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  3. Certainly not fun to be stalked, but even though a cougar might watch you, probably unnoticed, it's unlikely you'd be eaten. Love the owl shots.

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    1. Very true. But my mind goes back a couple years to California where there were several incidents when a jogger was caught by a Mountain Lion and pulled into the bushes.....and then it would later happen again. And about 3 years ago? We had a Mountain Lion stalk a person at Sabino Canyon. And I think a lot of this was due to a rabies outbreak. Very unfortunate for the people and cougar affected.

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  4. These photos gave me chills! How exciting!

    I had a stalker in college. It is not fun. I'm glad yours was resolved.

    Please don't be careless when shooting photos, we'd all miss you too much!

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    1. Yikes! On a Friends episode back in the 90's they poke fun at the stalking bit....and it was funny....until it happens to you. Then it's not so fun. Thanks for your kind words. I have a post coming up on a near run in with a rattler...:) Can we say heebie jeebies? Scary.

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  5. Fun and well done Chris. I love the Owlet photos. It's funny you put this post up now too as I was just talking about that eerie feeling of discovering an Owl with my wife. Especially the adult Great Horneds, which are so large and bulky...you turn around and see one and think, "Wow, how long has she been there? If I weren't larger that her I would be dead now..."

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    1. Gracias:) Getting better at spotting Great Horned Owls....not so good with the others. I know. It is the most bizarre and disturbing feeling. I know several owlers who have the voices down and will call them at night. I also discovered it was illegal in some areas to bring in recordings to attract And in the night, they will fly silent....something to do with their wing and feathers.....and settle onto a branch. It's really cool and a little unnerving at the same time:) I'm also finding a strange colored hummer in my garden as I write you...it's dark outside and the flight patterns are irregular. I'm not familiar with this bird. So tomorrow, I'm hanging out by my window to see if the male will come back. I honestly don't know what it is .....I think...oh it's an Anna's probably...and then I see a weird bill, strange flight pattern....and on top of that....a different color pattern on the head.....curious. I think I'm going to write a post soon on birding in your own backyard. The hummingbird feeder alone attracts a Gila Woodpecker, Verdin family, and a bunch of hummers. They make quite a mess but they're quite the entertainment. Have a good weekend birding!

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  6. these are cute stalkers. i do not believe the human kind would be anywhere near as pleasant.

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  7. oh you be careful.....!
    I think I would have fainted from so much joy in that nest
    I saw a baby chickadee in my mugo and my being went nuts
    But cougar...moutain lion.....have you learned what to do if you should happen upon one?
    Glad your stalker took the hint
    and scrammed.....scary

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    1. I will:) No worries. I've heard that you need to make yourself really big. That's not a problem for me....BUT I'm always on the lookout...it's the darn snakes I have to keep an open for:(
      As for the stalker, I sure hope it is over. It was while I was visiting family and a bit scary. Not fun while on vacation.

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  8. Oooh, those owlets are beautiful, I am so envious, I never manage to get owl shots!

    Thankfully we don't have much in the way of dangerous wildlife here :-)

    The stalking incident sounds very unpleasant Chris, I'm so glad you got it sorted out without further trouble.

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  9. Nothing over here to stalk and eat the unsuspecting Birder Chris, Bears and wolves have long gone - unforunately :-)

    Good luck with the Hummer challenge, I look forward to the results ;-)

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  10. I think I would quite like being watched by Gt Horned Owls as long as i could watch them back. Once met a chap who in later years was killed by a Tiger when he tried to take pictures of the young! Not recommended.

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    1. That is terrible. What in the world was he thinking?? I imagine for me it will actually be with a bear and hopefully I'll be at a distance....but they do come out of nowhere at times. The same goes with our Javelina population. Scary stuff.

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  11. The owlets are adorable! I am envious of your many owl sightings as I've never seen one during the day.

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  12. Awesome shots of the owlets.
    Have a great weekend.
    Mette

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  13. I often wonder as well what creature must be watching as I trek through a forest. Your owl photos are great...what a treat!

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  14. Brilliant owlet shots Chris.

    Its a really spooky feeling when you are walking somewhere especially when you areon your own and feel you are being watched. Ever so sorry to hear about your human stalker experience - it must have been awful and I'm so glad the situation has been resolved.

    We are fortunate over here - with no "dangerous" wildlife. The only exception being the adder our only venomous snake but we don't get them in Warwickshire any more.

    Take care when you are out walking and with your camera.

    Enjoy your weekend.

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  15. You are so blessed with owls!

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