Burrowing Owl

Burrowing Owl by Wagner Machado Carlos Lemes, source Wikimedia Commons

I saw this gorgeous photo of a Burrowing Owl and couldn't help posting it here. It has one foot tucked away under its feathers so completely, you'd almost think it only has one leg!

Hurricane Issac Rain

When the rain from Hurricane Issac came rolling through our part of the country, I was elated to finally have a good, long thunderstorm. It has been so dry here that I don't think anyone minded the rain. Thunderstorms excite and invigorate me; as a child I had to be told not to run about in the lightning and thunder, and even then I didn't listen sometimes...

Rain also inspires reflection in me. I love to curl up with a hot cup of tea and just think and look and listen to the rain, on the (now rare) occasions when I don't have anything pressing to do. Rain is soothing, relaxing, and renewing.

When the rain slowed down a bit, I ran out into the back yard to the bird bath, and found that the birds had been enjoying the rain as well; there were several tiny grey feathers floating in the bird bath. Seeing the little birds bathing in the bird bath always gives me a good laugh. They're so business-like about it, which just makes them look even more hilarious.

Oh, such a tiny little feather!