Seeing is believing
This beautiful little rainbow owl is quite delightful, a perfect miniature, small enough to perch on your finger.
It is rare and was hunted almost to extinction in the early part of the 20th century when collectors were anxious to add its colourful feathers to their collections. Conservation efforts have seen an increase in numbers in Montana. It can also be found in parts of China.
Wouldn’t it be wonderful to see such an exotic bird?
Sadly, there is no such bird as a rainbow owl. The image is of a barred owl or ‘hoot owl’ which has been digitally enhanced.
Image courtesy of Wikimedia Commons
This is just a bit of fun dreamt up by someone with a sense of humour, but the serious message underlying it is that people are too gullible, too ready to believe what they are told, particularly if it is supported by photographic or video ‘evidence’.
Thus are people led astray, suspending disbelief, denying their instincts and allowing themselves to be guided along dangerous paths. It is exciting to be part of a movement, and when the numbers grow, so does conviction. Charismatic leaders can persuade their followers to heinous acts. Humans have free will. Too many permit their will to be bent to someone else’s bow.
I was reading your first paragraph & thinking to myself ... in all my years I have never ever heard of a Rainbow Owl. But if you hadn't gone on to clarify it, I probably would have believed it!
ReplyDeleteIt looks convincing, doesn't it?
DeleteI sent the picture to my daughter before I read it isn't real.
ReplyDeleteI was taken in before I looked it up, even though such a thing seems highly unlikely.
DeleteCute little owl, but I don't think I would have believed it to be true. People are fairly easily led sometimes. It's interesting and sad to see sometimes.
ReplyDeleteTake everything with a pinch of salt - sometimes a bucketful is needed!
DeleteI would have got on board, not from gullibility, but to become more aware of the extinctions of species. What movement tries to fool people on purpose?
ReplyDeleteThere are some very devious people around, with twisted motives.
DeleteVery sweet and I would have loved it to be real but not a chance, not with those colours and that size. And David Attenborough has never mentioned one, as far as I know. LOL
ReplyDeletexx
What would we do without David Attenborough's calm, reasoned programmes? x x x
DeleteHaHa! Just like Donald Trump then...? :(
ReplyDeleteI'm surprised the man is 'still' alive....!
Sadly, Trump is an all too real disaster. How can people be so gullible?
DeleteHi Janice - it'd be beautiful if real ... sad - we are too gullible. Clever post - thank you ... cheers Hilary
ReplyDeletePart of me so wishes it were real.
DeleteMedia now with AI is getting so unbelievable, images whilst looking real are fake and it's hard to tell the difference. My mum always said 'if it's to good to be true, then it's fake', true life can be hard to find.
ReplyDeleteToo many people don't employ commonsense - sad, really.
DeleteA timely lesson indeed.
ReplyDeleteIn a year of electioneering we need to have our credibility antennae well tuned.
DeleteWhat a cutie, looks like a toy ! I love owls, they have the same eyes as my Rosie and the same look. And when they turn around there heads completely, I could spend hours observing them !
ReplyDeleteIt is cute. Owls' feathers are so soft.
DeleteI'm very fortunate to live in an area where barred owls are not rare even though they are also not common. Up until 5 years ago there was a pair that nested within a half mile of my house every year. But our area is being overdeveloped and with every new house they completely clear-cut the land. Those owls have disappeared for me.
ReplyDeleteThat is so sad. I listened to recordings of their calls - so lovely.
DeleteCute though it looks, I instantly thought it must be an enhanced image :-) xxx
ReplyDeleteWell done x x x
DeleteI want my Mummy.
ReplyDeleteToo young to leave home . . .
DeleteBeautiful.
ReplyDeletewww.rsrue.blogspot.com
It would be a lovely thing.
ReplyDeleteI would like to think this is true as that is the sweetest little owl. Must admit it seemed odd that it would be found in only one state and parts of China.
ReplyDeleteAn interesting experiment. I think it is far too easy for people to jump to quick conclusions as we quickly scroll through way too much information daily.
That is so true. So often we do not take the time to read and understand.
DeleteI was taken in by your tiny rainbow owl, thinking that I'd somehow missed something of particular interest to someone with my surname (well, its phonetic translation). But the lesson you offered in your post is profound and necessary. I'm sorry I keep missing your posts, but am well on the mend and somewhat back in circulation, so will be more diligent in future.
ReplyDeleteI am pleased to hear that you are fitter and feeling stronger now.
DeleteAn excellent post. Sadly, so many people seem quite willing to be misled.
ReplyDeleteI think people have an urge to believe in something extraordinary.
ReplyDeleteIt's such a cute looking owl ...
ReplyDeleteIt's a sign of the times that we have to be so careful what we hear, read and see.
All the best Jan
It is beautiful, isn't it? Very appealing.
ReplyDeleteHmmmm - stunned an owl could be so small. That's hummingbird sized but hadn't analysed what i thought about it before i got to your reveal. Point well made though and we all need reality check reminders because we are bombarded by alternative 'reality' daily.
ReplyDelete