Thursday, July 17, 2014

Hedwig



The ocean cast her misty net around us.  A thunderous clap could be heard from the far off distance.  The fog had arrived and there was no escape. 



I imagined witches and warlocks flying around the isles of these waters. 



The wheel of the ancient mill churned the waters of the fast moving stream. A light rain fell from the sky. Did a wizard live here?



Modern day folk relied on their local weather forecaster to predict the weather changes.  Half the time, their prophesies were wrong. And so we navigated around the constant change of elements.



And while we didn't find a witch or warlock, I suspected they were there. For we spied upon crows and......



....a Snowy Owl?  Most people thought we were looking at the house and stopped to snap pictures.  Because that's what people do. But did they notice that something so rare and beautiful was on top of the chimney?  No Snowy Owl remains in July.  But this one did. 



Hedwig.  It had to be.  Harry Potter's Snowy Owl.  Only a dedicated Owl would stay in Maine during the summer. Harry and his friends must be vacationing from England. 



This life bird lived up to its' reputation. The epic landscape and weather changes around Maine were incredible. Most of the Snowy Owls should be up north on their breeding grounds, but this one stuck around just long enough for us to visit.  Pure magic. 
For more incredible birds, check out Wild Bird Wednesday

23 comments:

  1. I have never read Harry potter but can see you were inspired. Great pictures from a land where weather is constant...constantly changing like here.

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  2. Chris, congrats on your Snowy Owl sighting. They are cool birds..

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  3. What a surprise to find this bird on your last full day here! It was, indeed, mysterious! I loved the fog and the adventure! I am so glad you got to add this beauty to your Life List! I can't wait to go back to the Kennebunk Plains!

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  4. Chris, I am so glad you got to see this amazing bird! It was, indeed, mysterious! I loved all the fog! and I can't wait to go back to the Kennebunk Plains!

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  5. Another interesting post with a really special bird. It's great that it waited for you!

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  6. Incredible! What a great sighting!

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  7. Great Shot! Those are such awesome birds to see. Snowies are truly great!

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  8. Another great post Chris - I love the Harry Potter books and films too :) I remember midnight visits to WHSmith to pick up the newly released books - I always had to buy 3 - one for each of the children and one for me!!! We used to read them in 24 hours!!

    So glad you saw "Hedwig" - a truly magical post :)

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  9. How interesting that the Snowy Owl is still around. Oddly enough I recently heard a tale that a Snowy was still in the area near me. Quite frankly, I thought the idea was totally crazy but now I'm thinking it might be true.

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  10. EG, if there is a report, I'd go! Several of these owls stayed behind after winter on the Eastern side. Who knows why? But like the Snowy Owl featured on this post, there hadn't been any reports of the bird for several weeks and then all of a sudden the bird was being seen again. We went ASAP to find this beauty. I had a friend who went two weeks later and did not find him. Bizarre stuff!

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  11. The Snowy Owl was a real bonus for this trip. Thanks to Harry.

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  12. How amazing to find a Snowy Owl in those parts at this time of year. I hope that it hadn't hung around for ill-health reasons.

    Seeing Snowy Owl in the wild is on my Bucket List.

    A very enjoyable post, Chris, and although I couldn't relate to your earlier Star Wars references, I'm a little less out of my depth with Harry Potter! - but only a little!

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  13. Hi Chris How wonderful to get another lifer and such a beautiful bird.

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  14. Congrats on the snowy owl! That's pure magic!

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  15. Love that snowy, how wonderful to have seen one!

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  16. Wow, that is remarkable! Hope the owl is healthy.

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  17. Well done for catching up with Hedwig.

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  18. Great photos, you are very lucky to see to owl.

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  19. I like your magical, mystical foggy pictures! and the owl is beautiful! Definitely worth hunting for.

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  20. What great foggy photos and how wonderful to see a Snowy Owl!

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  21. What a wonderful find--a Snowy Owl. Enjoyed your story and scenery.

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  22. Loved your photos and narrative describing the foggy Maine day! But I was also thrilled to see your Hedwig, visiting just for you! Beautiful photos.

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