Natural History Museum

The Natural History Museum at the University of Michigan held an open house even on Sunday afternoon that focused on "behind the scenes" experiences for children and adults. Our grandsons had the opportunity to do lots of really cool research type things as they moved from one station to another during the afternoon.

Model skulls of prehistoric ancestors of homo sapiens were lined up in one classroom. The instructor showed the kids how the skull of a mammal that walks on four feet differs from one that walks on two feet (the brain stem emerges at a different location at the base of the skull) and then demonstrated spear and arrowhead making.

On another floor of the museum, the boys learned about owls and got to take apart some of the pellets that owls make and then regurgitate as a part of their nutrition cycle. We all enjoyed looking at the bird and mammal displays, especially the snowy owls since these owls have been spotted this winter in Michigan.

Baby Owl

From my sketchbook comes this baby barn owl. My inspiration for this little owl is the illustrating done by Bert Kitchen, a British artist, for children's books.

This little guy is a part of the cover illustration for "The Barn Owl," a book that is available from resellers and used book stores. I picked up a copy at Bookman's on Ina in Tucson sometime last spring.

Mr. Kitchen's illustrations bring the essence of the birds and animals to the pages of his books. The animals are somewhat stylized (the eye of the artist is everything) but they are always engaging and a delight to see.

If imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, then I hope Bert Kitchen will know how inspired I am by his wise and excellent children's art.

Another post with a barn owl

Forlorn Owl

He looks kind of forlorn, this little owl from the tree ornament selection at Target. I brought him home to hang on the critter tree that will grace a corner of the sunroom this holiday season.

With his big eyes, crooked beak, and burlap body, this little guy must feel out of place. We will welcome him to the congregation of critters -- moose, deer, squirrels, fox -- that will gather to celebrate a Great Lake Christmas.

WHO knows, he might like it here by the shore of Lake Huron.

And then again, he may not give a HOOT.

Little Owl

See the little owl sitting in this blue spruce tree? Ed took this photo last Friday out by our barn on Graywood Farm. The bird sat still as Ed approached him.

"He blinked his eyes," Ed said, when I commented that the owl almost looked like a toy. We perused the bird books last night and came to the tentative conclusion that the owl might be a screech owl. He appears to be 10-12" high and marked with a striped feather pattern.

It has been a number of years since we have seen or heard owls on the farm. Could this owl be a migrating visitor, or a local resident who has been upset by work in the barn, or a newcomer whose habitat has been altered by global warming? Whatever the cause of his visit, we're glad to welcome an owl to the farm and will keep a watchful eye out for further appearances.

Copyright 2012
Wanda Hayes Eichler

Young Owl

An owl flew during the Raptor Free Flight at the Desert Museum on Sunday afternoon. So did four Harris hawks, another hawk (whose nomenclature I have forgotten) and a Peregrine falcon. The birds fly right over the heads of the crowd.

Staffers move about in the desert from perch to perch, bidding and calling the birds by bait and by motion. You are cautioned not to hold a camera above your head, or your hand. These birds have learned to fly on command and a raised hand will call them.

It's a pretty incredible experience to see birds this close. The owl's feathers are highlighted by the sun that is coming from behind this creature. What a beautiful bird!

Copyright 2012
Wanda Hayes Eichler