Written by Though I definitely considered an Octopus, I was taken with the eyes of this baby owl so we ended up here instead. I learned that the eyes of an owl are not true “eyeballs.” Their tube-shaped eyes are completely immobile, providing binocular vision which boosts their depth perception and allows them to fully focus on prey. This also gives them a perpetual stare that’s rather creepy and unnerving at times.
The popular name for a group of owls is called a parliament which dates back to the 1950’s when C. S. Lewis used the term to describe a meeting of owls in The Chronicles of Narnia. I guess this was because owls are often associated with wisdom, and perhaps there was a time when human politics were also associated with the same. Another tidbit I found interesting is that Boreal owls are usually monogamous, but when mice are plentiful and childcare becomes easier, they become promiscuous, with males mating with up to three females. Not to worry as fair is fair. Females usually have at least one guy on the side as well during this time.
As if the immovable eyes weren’t strange enough, owls can also rotate their heads 270 degrees. What’s super weird is that in order to pull off this feat they have a special blood-pooling system. This allows them to conserve enough blood to power their brains and eyes while their neck movement totally cuts off their circulation. A small inconvenience, I guess, when this feature makes you an insanely great hunter. Next up is “P” in this alphabet adventure, so if you have a suggestion, let me know in the comments!
About the Doodlewash
M. Graham watercolors: Quinacridone Gold, Azo Orange, Burnt Sienna, Ultramarine Blue, and Titanium White Gouache. Lamy Safari Al Star pen with Platinum Carbon black ink and second Lamy Safari Al Star pen with Platinum Carbon sepia ink in a 5″ x 8″ 140 lb. (300 gsm) Pentalic Aqua Journal
Awesome or could that be owlsome? LOL
Haha!! Let’s definitely go with owlsome! Love it!! Thanks Susan!! 💕😃
An owl yes ! Beautiful , and although not furry much better than any reptile 😉
Turtle Hugs
Yeah…I think people definitely prefer things that look like you can pet them! Hehe Thanks friend!! 😃💕
Omg I looove owls this one is so beautiful, I consider an owl myself since I love to create often at night! lol beautifully done Charlie!
Awww thanks!! 💕😃A compliment from another owl is the best thing ever! Hehe
Ahaha yes it is! Thanks!
It is darling! <3 Owls are such awesome creatures (just stay away from our chickens). My son has a thing for the Blakiston's Fish Owl, but I pretty much love them all. 🙂
The obvious choice for P is penguin, of course, but pangolin would be kinda fun to doodlewash, too!
Thanks Teresa!! 💕😃 hehe
Great information Charlie…I did not know any of these fascinating facts. I love that baby owls have big heads and feet too. And when was that time when politics had wisdom?…
..but more than enough of politics I think.
Pig gets my vote. (K)
Haha! I don’t actually remember that time so I assume it was before I was born. 😉 Thanks Kerfe!! 💕😃 Oh yeah…pig…I tend to totally forget animals when I get to each letter. 😊hehe
Love your owl. They sure are amazing creatures.
Thanks so much Teri!! 💕😃
Magical doodlewash, Charlie – perfectly befitting the owl! Cor, you’ve got the unnerving stare down (and I didn’t know that about their eyes – nor indeed most of the rest. Those five-minute sessions working wonderes 😉 )They are so fascinating. I’ve heard them when wandering in the dark, but never actually been lucky enough to see one… one day, hopefully!
P is for Penguin! How did I not think of that! Pug. Python. Pelican. Puffin. Polecat. Panther.
Thanks Jacob!! Yeah…I’ve only seen one in the wild once when it was dive bombing a rabbit outside the window. Owls are intriguing. And yeah…5 minutes is about all you need to learn anything! Lol Nice list!! In this one I had to look up Polecat… Cute! Also says it’s primarily noted for ejecting fetid fluid when threatened! Yikes! Ewwww! Lol
Haha wow, I had no idea about that! So like us 😉 There was a neighbour who had two of the things (or were they ferrets – I’ve no idea!). Seeing someone out walking their pet polecats was a fun departure from the norm!
That is something I can say I’ve never seen! How funny though! Now I want a pair of polecats too!!
You’ll have to ask Philippe! I’m sure he’d love the idea. 😉
Haha! I’m see what he says!
What a hoot – owl that is! 😃 I have a book on owls I find them so fascinating. Their eyes are amazing and so is your painting! 💕👍🎨 YAY Charlie!! 😎 How about a platypus for P, pretty please?! Hehe! 😊
Awww thanks Jill! 💕😃I think owls are fascinating as well! Glad you liked my version! Hehe And you always pick the animals with the best names! I love platypus…but not sure if they’d be a fun doodlewash in the style I’m painting these. I’d want to make it a purple platypus. Oh well….someday! 😊
You really got the stare! I rescued an owl once, and his eyes were bright orange! Platypus?
Thanks so much!! Awww thanks so cool you rescued an owl. I saw some image references with bright orange eyes…kind of amazing looking! 😃
Fabulous Charlie, owls are so much fun to draw and paint!
Thanks Sharon!! 💕😃 This was fun…had never tried one before. I’ll have to try again someday! Hehe
I’m enjoying the little titbits of information you give with each creature Charlie, I’m learning heaps! For P – pelican, puffin, parakeet … all birds come to mind!
Yay! I’m glad these posts are actually educational…I just sort of pull facts I find intriguing, but not sure if anyone else does! Lol Love those suggestions!! Thanks Anna!💕😃
I’m so pleased that you chose an owl and this one is glorious, I love his amazing eyes. Hmmm, P…how about pug, poodle, puffin, pig
Awww thanks Tori! 💕😃Glad you like the owl. It was a tight race with an octopus, but in the end he won! Hehe Thanks for the suggestions!! Yay! Appreciate it!
A truly wonderful owl, Charlie – look at those eyes! Apparently owls aren’t especially wise or even clever, I read somewhere. They’re amazingly efficient hunting machines but have small brains. I found that fact strangely sad.
Thanks Michael!! Glad you liked my owl rendition. And yeah…they aren’t super bright. Your description is sadly true. And makes them sound more and more like some groups of humans. 😉
Oh, this is definitely a favorite! Beautiful painting and oh so adorable.Thank you for sharing this.
Aww thanks Haunani!! 💕😃 So happy you liked him!!
Ah, super love for your owl Charlie and all those good facts. Now I can talk serious owl!
Thanks so much Cathe!! 💕😃 He was super fun to doodlewash. I see people sketching owls and had never drawn one in my life so I figured I’d give it a try. 😊 And I do try to stay with reputable sources in my 5 minute research sprints so I think these facts are all true! Hehe
Love your beautiful owl!!!
Thanks so much Jodi!! 💕😃Glad you Iike him!! I completed the eyes first so he was staring at me the whole time as if to say, “don’t screw me up!” 😊hehe
toooo funny! and you didn’t – so it worked! 🙂
Terrific choice for O and a beautiful job you did, Charlie! :)))) 💜💜💜
Thanks Laura!! 💕😃The eyes on an octopus just couldn’t beat the ones on these guys. Totally sucked me in! Hehe
You’ve got the “stare” just right!
JP
Awww thanks! Hehe… Glad you think so! 🙂
the owl is awesome. I vote for penguin (if not platypus).
Thanks so much Kathi! 💕😀Glad you like it! I’m considering those… it’s about time to doodlewash and I still haven’t chosen yet! hehe
What a beautiful owl! You did good! The facts you posted were very interesting too. They are amazing creatures.
Thanks Nancy! 💕😃 I really enjoyed making my first owl doodlewash. Hehe… I’m so happy you liked him!!
What a beautiful owl! And I didn’t know about it’s ability to rotate it’s head to 270! How fun!
I know…isn’t that wild? And the fact that they nearly kill themselves temporarily to do it! Owls are fascinating! Glad ya like my doodlewash of one. Thanks Kari!! 💕😃
Your owl painting is awesome and I learned some owl facts that I didn’t know before. I guess I wised up!
Lol… glad I could help! Thanks, Sandra! 😃💕
Thank you for all the information on this beautiful Owl you drew! My mom and I have a special love for Owls. She has shared personal family moments with Owls that are incredible. Your artwork is amazing!
Aww thanks so much, Jennifer! 😃💕 Owls are such wonderful creatures!