Made A Special Visit Today

@CarolDM (203396)

Nashville, Tennessee

October 1, 2020 2:54pm CST

Finally found Cotton, the barred owl at the state park today. They moved her enclosure to a different spot in the park. Made my day to see her again. She has grown since the last time I saw here last year. I think it has been close to one year since visiting. Looks at how pretty she is. I stood there and talked to her for several minutes. And snapped many photos of her. She would turn her head all the way around, like owls do. So cool to watch her. And I found out when she was found as a baby, since a human was her first connection in the world, she now only relates to humans as her parents. This is called imprinting. That is why she will remain at the park. But she is well take care of. I have more surprises to share soon as well.

22 people like this

21 responses

@DianneN (254949)

• United States

1 Oct 20

I'm so happy your visit wasn't in vain. She is beautiful!!!

4 people like this

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@DianneN (254949)

• United States

1 Oct 20

@CarolDM Our school had visits from a variety of animal associations. Owls were always a big hit! The closet I ever got to one was when one landed on my iPad in Scotland at a falconry. Very light and adorable.

2 people like this

@CarolDM (203396)

• Nashville, Tennessee

1 Oct 20

@DianneN They take this one to the schools. I could touch her through the cage, so soft.

2 people like this

@CarolDM (203396)

• Nashville, Tennessee

1 Oct 20

I know, I wish I could have held her. The wind was blowing a little and her feathers were ruffled, so pretty.

3 people like this

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@kobesbuddy (78833)

• East Tawas, Michigan

1 Oct 20

I wonder why they have to keep Cotton in a cage, maybe she can't fly.

4 people like this

@CarolDM (203396)

• Nashville, Tennessee

1 Oct 20

As I said above, she was found by humans and it is not safe for her to be out in the wild. Humans are her parents.

2 people like this

@kobesbuddy (78833)

• East Tawas, Michigan

1 Oct 20

@CarolDM My father experience this, when he raised a nest of pine-siskins. Dad had no idea what to do. They landed on his head, shoulders, and arms, they figured he was their parent!

2 people like this

@CarolDM (203396)

• Nashville, Tennessee

1 Oct 20

@kobesbuddy At least she is taken care of.

2 people like this

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@much2say (57760)

• Los Angeles, California

1 Oct 20

So beautiful she is! I wonder if there would be any way to have her be released someday - but for now I'm glad she's in a the safest place for her.

2 people like this

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@much2say (57760)

• Los Angeles, California

2 Oct 20

@CarolDM If she is going to be there, I hope you will get to visit her often . . . maybe even have a personal visit with her

!!

1 person likes this

@CarolDM (203396)

• Nashville, Tennessee

1 Oct 20

She is a beauty and I didn't want to leave. No, she will never be released, she wouldn't survive.

1 person likes this

@CarolDM (203396)

• Nashville, Tennessee

2 Oct 20

@much2say Yes I can do that.

1 person likes this

@wolfgirl569 (135583)

• Marion, Ohio

2 Oct 20

Glad you found her.

2 people like this

@CarolDM (203396)

• Nashville, Tennessee

2 Oct 20

Me too, she makes me smile.

1 person likes this

@rakski (156200)

• Philippines

2 Oct 20

oh wow, she is a beauty. Finally, you see her again

2 people like this

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@rakski (156200)

• Philippines

2 Oct 20

welcome

1 person likes this

@CarolDM (203396)

• Nashville, Tennessee

2 Oct 20

Thank you! Have a good day.

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Vicki, #1 Creek Girl

@1creekgirl (44560)

• United States

2 Oct 20

I know that was a special visit with Cotton. She's so pretty.

2 people like this

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Vicki, #1 Creek Girl

@1creekgirl (44560)

• United States

2 Oct 20

@CarolDM Thanks! I keep changing it, lol. I just took a closer look at your photo and saw the sweet picture of Dustin.

1 person likes this

@CarolDM (203396)

• Nashville, Tennessee

2 Oct 20

Yes it was wonderful. Nice new pic there.

1 person likes this

@CarolDM (203396)

• Nashville, Tennessee

2 Oct 20

@1creekgirl Me too.

1 person likes this

@ptrikha_2 (49753)

• India

6 Oct 20

"Imprinting" : wow!!

I got to know about a new term here. That owl surely is very cute. It is good to know that the State Park folks are taking good care of her.

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@ptrikha_2 (49753)

• India

7 Oct 20

@CarolDM Yes indeed. Have a great day ahead!

1 person likes this

@CarolDM (203396)

• Nashville, Tennessee

6 Oct 20

Yes I learned it for the first time as well. So cool.

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@toniganzon (77064)

• Philippines

1 Oct 20

This owl won't be able to survive in the wilds right?

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@toniganzon (77064)

• Philippines

2 Oct 20

@CarolDM She's so used to living there. As long as she's happy and well.

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@CarolDM (203396)

• Nashville, Tennessee

2 Oct 20

@toniganzon I agree.

@CarolDM (203396)

• Nashville, Tennessee

1 Oct 20

No, she will alleys be in the park. But she is alive.

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@Shavkat (141906)

• Philippines

2 Oct 20

I hope that it can spread its wings in the wild, too.

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@Shavkat (141906)

• Philippines

3 Oct 20

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@CarolDM (203396)

• Nashville, Tennessee

2 Oct 20

No wilderness for her, this is her home.

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@Ronrybs (21504)

• London, England

2 Oct 20

I do like owls. Don't think we have barred owls over here

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@Ronrybs (21504)

• London, England

4 Oct 20

@CarolDM Looks like they are mainly in North America

1 person likes this

@CarolDM (203396)

• Nashville, Tennessee

4 Oct 20

@Ronrybs Yes but you have other species there we don't have I am sure.

@CarolDM (203396)

• Nashville, Tennessee

2 Oct 20

Not sure if you do or not.

1 person likes this

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@Hannihar (130150)

• Israel

2 Oct 20

@CarolDM I am so glad she let you take her picture. I wonder if she gets many visitors? How did you meet Cotton? Is she ok isolated and behind bars?

1 person likes this

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@Hannihar (130150)

• Israel

4 Oct 20

@CarolDM I am glad she is safe.

1 person likes this

@CarolDM (203396)

• Nashville, Tennessee

4 Oct 20

@Hannihar Me too.

1 person likes this

@CarolDM (203396)

• Nashville, Tennessee

2 Oct 20

Yes the park gets many visitors at the state park. She is safe and alive.

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@BloggerDi (3121)

• United States

1 Oct 20

I love birds and have been fascinated by them since I was a child. That is a beautiful owl indeed! It's great that you learned more about Cotton's background.

2 people like this

@CarolDM (203396)

• Nashville, Tennessee

1 Oct 20

Thanks, she is lucky to be alive and only a few miles down the road, I will keep visiting.

1 person likes this

Nocturnal Writer

@Nakitakona (59987)

• Philippines

2 Oct 20

Zoos, I think, are being closed and the animals are loose to their place of habitat.

1 person likes this

@CarolDM (203396)

• Nashville, Tennessee

2 Oct 20

This is a state park, not a zoo.

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Nocturnal Writer

@Nakitakona (59987)

• Philippines

3 Oct 20

@CarolDM I'm just pointing out that animals in the zoo should be in their proper habitat.

1 person likes this

@LotusEyes (2707)

• India

4 Oct 20

So beautiful bird

1 person likes this

@CarolDM (203396)

• Nashville, Tennessee

4 Oct 20

Yes she is indeed.

1 person likes this

@LotusEyes (2707)

• India

4 Oct 20

@CarolDM Yes, you are right

1 person likes this

@popciclecold (40215)

• United States

2 Oct 20

That's something, how she just relates to humans. She's a beautiful bird.

1 person likes this

@CarolDM (203396)

• Nashville, Tennessee

2 Oct 20

She had no choice, she was a baby when she was rescued. Thanks.

1 person likes this

Belle Starr (Iz)

@BelleStarr (61463)

• United States

1 Oct 20

She is a very pretty girl.

1 person likes this

@CarolDM (203396)

• Nashville, Tennessee

2 Oct 20

I agree, she is.

1 person likes this

@TheHorse (238268)

• Walnut Creek, California

2 Oct 20

Konrad Lorenz. Imprinting. Interesting stuff.

1 person likes this

@CarolDM (203396)

• Nashville, Tennessee

2 Oct 20

The amazing Nobel Prize winner.

@paigea (36143)

• Canada

3 Oct 20

She is lovely. I am looking forward to the return of our snowy owls. They are so pretty.

1 person likes this

@CarolDM (203396)

• Nashville, Tennessee

3 Oct 20

I love visiting her for sure.

1 person likes this

@LindaOHio (222222)

• United States

2 Oct 20

She's such a beauty. I love owls, as you know. Last year we heard a couple of them hooting in the back yard at night. So cool...never saw them though.

1 person likes this

@CarolDM (203396)

• Nashville, Tennessee

2 Oct 20

Yes I do remember that.

1 person likes this

@freelancermariagrace (29342)

• Philippines

2 Oct 20

Cotton is very beautiful

1 person likes this

@CarolDM (203396)

• Nashville, Tennessee

2 Oct 20

Yes she certainly is.

1 person likes this