Owls

I've photographed a few Owls the last 2 years - a Northern Saw-whet Owl, a Great Horned Owl and a Barn Owl. They are fascinating animals, their eyes draw me in to their world of magic and freedom. 

"If Owl on strong majestic wings has flown into your world, she knows that the time has come for you to seek that which is hidden.  Arcane knowledge deep within the ageless traditions of white magic will now reveal itself if you quiet your mind and take the time to explore the mysteries beyond with a guide or those who have the same mystical goals.  Like Owl, you will absorb the benign and nourishing, and discard that which is destructive."

Susie Green - Animal Wisdom

Snoopy, this little Northern Saw-whet Owl is only about 6 inches tall but is full grown. He lives in the forests around where I live (North Vancouver, Canada) but this guy was found in a parking lot in Richmond, damaged with head injuries. He now lives at the The Orphaned Wildlife Rehabilitation Society (OWL) in Delta, BC.

Northern Saw-whet Owl, Snoopy I

Northern Saw-whet Owl, Snoopy II

Toba is a Great Horned Owl and he is massive.  He is in the Birds in Motion show put on by the Canadian Mountain Conservancy on top of Grouse Mountain. 

Great Horned Owl, Toba, Pounce

Great Horned Owl, Toba, In Flight

Great Horned Owl, Toba, Resting

Great Horned Owl, Toba, Cloak

Great Horned Owl, Toba, Glare

Great Horned Owl, Toba, Mighty

Tyto is the name of this male Barn Owl (Tyto alba).  Tyto was born at the Canadian Raptor Conservancy (Bird in Motion - Grouse Mountain).  Barn Owls have never been as common in British Columbia as they are on the prairies and in Eastern Canada. However they are on the decline as farms are being taken over by industry and housing.

Other names for the Barn Owl have included, Ghost Owl, Church Owl, Death Owl, Hissing Owl, Hobgoblin or Hobby Owl, Golden Owl, Silver Owl, White Owl, Night Owl, Rat Owl, Screech Owl, Straw Owl, and Delicate Owl.

Barn Owl Colette, Repose

Barn Owl Tina, Respite

Barn Owl Craig, Flight

LAY/ER/ED

“Four Heathers - LAY/ER/ED” at the Ferry Building Gallery in West Vancouver, BC in June 2011

ABOUT THE 4 HEATHERS

We are four Vancouver based artists that not only share a common first name but share established art careers and a continued passion to collaborate with each other. We find this brings a sense of community to what can sometimes be a lonely occupation.

Our collaborations in each other’s studios has presented encouragement and inspiration to the four of us. We have also discovered that sharing our different techniques and ideas, while experimenting, enriches us as a group and as individual artists. The Ferry Building Gallery Show will be the 3rd Group Show for the 4 Heather's since 2009.

Heather Aston

Heather Cairns

Heather Johnston

Heather McAlpine

Heather Cairns

Heather McAlpine

Heather Aston

Heather Johnston

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Cabinet of Natural Curiosities

Observations

Observe, Hive, Waiting

In a dream, dead bees were wrapped up in a towel and given to me. When I opened the gift, the bees were almost dust. The bee is a symbol of the potency of nature, it is life itself, creating hone, pollinating flowers, following an ordered existence. We all live in cycles of change and this work is a metaphor for my transitioning.

Bees and Bugs at UBC The Spencer Entomological Collection

I went to UBC this week to check out the bees at the Spencer Entomological Collection.                     

It is a quiet room tucked away on the 4th floor of the Bio Sciences building on the Main Mall. Of course I didn't follow directions and walked up the only staircase where you couldn't access the east wing.  I spent the afternoon with the bees and bugs which are all pinned to boards inside glass topped wooden speciman cases. 

 

I thought I might feel squeamish, but the beauty of (some) of them is overwhelming.  I could stay there for days, happily photographing the sacrificed creatures. They are labeled with the place, date and person who collected them. 

Here are some of my favourites

There is a large collection which was donated called the Hook Collection, they were collected in the early part of the last century so were all glued to the card.  I have to go back and shoot more of these.

Then there were the ones in jars which I hardly had a chance to glance at. But took a quick reference shot.

My first post

death of the bees - sketch

flight of the bees - sketch

New work underway, so far the series is untitled, this blog will hopefully help me find my way with the progress of it.  I haven't done a 'serious' (non-commercial) (gallery oriented) series of work since 2 years following my MA. That's 1994, the auspicious year of the birth of my first beautiful daughter, Anna Marie. I'm both excited and fearful - don't analyze! 

I welcome responses and feedback from fellow artists, friends and strangers. I welcome links to sites unknown and inspiring. I will post those that I find mysterious or notable.