Thankful for Owls

Well, for those of us living in the US, Thanksgiving is just about here. My, but how time flies! We'll soon again be enjoying our day with family, filling our bellies, and watching football. But, we should not forget that this holiday is about giving thanks; to pause and contemplate all that we are thankful for. 

I'm thankful for many things, and like you, one of the things I'm thankful for is that there are still owls in the world. Sadly, for some owl populations, like the Barn and Spotted Owls, that may not be the case in the not so distant future. Their numbers are dwindling at an alarming rate due to increased severe weather conditions, loss of habitat, and consequently, food, as well, as from rodenticides poisoning.  

Some of the owl species that are already extinct are: Laughing owl, Forest Spotted owl, Maruituis owl, and the Andros Island Barn owl.

So, again, lets be thankful for the owls still in our world, and for all those conservation organizations and individuals who are working so hard in trying to save these magnificent and important birds.

Owl Conservation- How we can help  

And to give thanks to anyone for any occasion, what better way to do it but with owls! 

Whimsical Owl Family Thank You Greeting Cards by amykaren

A Hoot Of A Baby Shower Gender Neutral Favor Label by NightOwlsMenagerie

Thank You Owl cartoon fun stamp by Doodlescardsnstamps

Cute Owls Pink Baby Thank You Photo Card by Pip_Gerard

BROWN OWL Round Favor Sticker | Envelope Seal by allpetscherished

Pink Owl Thank You Cake Pops Cake Pops by Joyful_Expressions

How Now Little Owls - Custom Message 2 Pound Milk Chocolate Bar Box by creativetaylor

Christmas Thank you Cute Owl Bird Holly Greeting Cards by countrymousestudio

Owl Thank You Hoo Postcard by ellesgreetings

Black Owl Thank You Postage Stamp Small by biglnet

Owls Light the Way

     Well, summer vacation is over,  school has resumed, and the days are getting shorter.  Soon we’ll be driving home from work in the dark, or close to it, and turning house lights on much sooner. However, for the majority of the owls species, shorter days are not a problem, being that they are mostly nocturnal. These birds of prey hunt deep in the night and are seldom, if ever, seen during the day. If you do, it could be because it was chased out of its roost, or the poor thing is starving.  There is an exception, some nocturnal owls might be seen during cloudy days.  Now, for some other owl species, hunting time may began a little earlier or end later, and you could spot them at dawn or dusk.

In any event, owls have superior vision, regardless whether they are night or day owls. Their eyes are very large to allow more light to get through, which is especially beneficial for the nocturnal species as it helps them see well in the dark. The eyes are also face forward which we associate with the "wise owl" look.  However, their eyes are stationary and they can only see straight ahead of them, with only a 70 degree binocular range (seeing an object with both eyes). In comparison, humans have a 140 degree binocular range. Therefore, for owls to see the sides, they must move their whole head. That accounts for their awesome ability to turn their heads around up to 270 degrees, and up to 90 degrees up and down. 

  Owls have three eyelids: an upper and lower lid, and a third one called a nictitating membrane, which is used to clean and protect the eye.  One interesting fact about owl eyes is that they are not 'eye balls' as we know it, but elongated tubes. The anatomy of the owl eyes makes it very sensitive to light and movement, but colors are limited and are mostly in monochrome. Nevertheless, some owls see better than humans in daylight, as well as, in bright light. So, unlike humans, owls don't need light to get around in the dark. They don't ever have to worry about running into a door,  or, stumping their toe on a chair, or stepping on the cat's tail like we do.  Luckily for us, lamps and nightlights are readily available and, if designed with owls, then all the better! 

Owl and Blue Moon Night Light by ErikaKai at Zazzle

Cute Cartoon Owl in Pink and Coral Night Light by MarshEnterprises

Cute Owl on a Branch Ceiling Lamp by ironydesigns

owl nite lights by WorldDesign

Owls Table Lamps by peacefuldreams

Cute pink owl on floral branch personalized name nite lite by mheadesign

Vintage Japanese Ink Sketch of an Owl Hanging Pendant Lamps by Floridity

Woodland Forest Tree Bark Owl Desk Lamp by wasootch

Stained Glass Owl - Night Light by LilithDeAnu

Colorful Owl Hanging Pendant Lamp - Groovy Retro! by thaneeyamcardle

Whimsical Owl Pattern Desk Lamps by ne1512BLVD

Three owls desk lamp by sweet_victory

Tree of Owls Lamp Shade by Greyszoo