Owl of the Week: Saw-Whet Owl 83163

Title: 83163

Banded: October 10, 2009

Adopted: October 17, 2009

Gender: Male

Location: Banded and Released at Woodland Dunes Nature Preserve in Two Rivers, WI

Unique Characteristic(s): At this year's annual Owlfest at Woodland Dunes, we had the very unique opportunity to learn about and interact with Saw-Whet Owls. These breath-taking creatures were the star attractions at this fund-raising event. For a small donation, we were even able to "adopt" one of these captivating creatures. We'll be able to track his progress if he's ever captured and released again!

Owl of the Week: Dirk the Dutch Style Owl

Title: Dirk the Dutch Style Owl

Adopted: Late Summer 2009

Material: Ceramic glazed in Dutch blue, light brown, black, and green over an unglazed grey clay

Size: 5 inches tall

Location: Currently adding whimsy and charm to our bookshelves

Unique Characteristic(s): Painted in a style reminiscent of one made popular in 19th Century Dutch Potteries, this colorful and bold bird aptly needed a Dutch name.

Owl of the Week: Funk the Owl

Title: Funk the Owl (named after the German verb "funkeln" which means to sparkle)

Adopted: Spring 2009

Material: Ceramic glazed in mottled light and dark brown with black metal insert to hold votive or tea light

Size: Short & Squat, approximately 5 inches tall

Location: Anywhere! (As long as its never left unattended when lit!)

Unique Characteristic(s): Includes a metal hook at the top for hanging. Distinctively constructed with no wrong side or backside, i.e. with a face on either side of its body - providing a pleasant visage from any side!

***WARNING*** Geek Tangent: Being the classical mythology geek that I am, Funk the Owl totally brings to mind Janus, the two-headed Roman god. He too had no backside and could face forwards and backwards at the same time. Because of this special trait, he became the token god of city gates and doorways. Our month of January is even named after him, because the month looks back on the year before but also looks forward to a new year. Janus is the god of endings and new beginnings, because as Green Day puts it, "Every new beginning comes from some other beginning's end..."

Owl of the Week: Charcoal Owl Candlesticks

Title: Charcoal Owl Candlesticks (pair of)

Adopted: Late Summer 2009

Material: charcoal-black painted heavy metalware

Size: Seven inches tall

Location: Dining Room, as table centerpiece when in use and as permanent decor on dining room sideboard

Unique Characteristic(s): Can be used with slender taper candles or fitted with glass globes and filled with decorative tealights or votives

Owl of the Week: Petite Purple Pitcher

Title: Petite Purple Pitcher

Adopted: Late Spring 2009

Material: translucent purple glass

Size: 4 inches tall, 8 oz. liquid capacity

Location: likely in the kitchen above the oven control panel, next to my grandma's vintage copper kitchen timer

Unique Characteristic(s): includes a slender handle on the back and a slight spout in the top rim, perfect for pouring pancake syrup or creamer for coffee

***This sassy new feature will be a weekly exhibit of some of the unique and charming owls I've been slowly accumulating. I'll also have the opportunity to experiment with photo design and image manipulation software. I'll gladly display for you some of the interesting results. Enjoy!***