Little Cute Owls Hug For Their First Flight

When you’re taking a leap of faith, you need a little support from your friends.
But as these fledgling owls in Israel prepared for their first flight, even a group hug wasn’t enough to stop one opening its eyes and appearing to contemplate the drop below.
Amateur photographer Vladimir Kogan hid nearby and waited patiently for these three owls to emerge from their burrows near the town of Beit She’an.
Known as Athene noctua or Little Owls, these birds were sacred to the goddess Athena in Greek mythology and is usually found in the warmer parts of Europe, Asia and North Africa.
They grow to up to 10 inches in length and prey on insects, earthworms and even small birds and mammals.

They were introduced to Great Britain in 1842 by British aristocrat Thomas Powys and are now acclimatised here.

               

Contemplating drop: These three Little Owls prepared for their first flight as they emerged from their burrows

Group hug: The three birds got close on their perch as amateur photographer Vladimir Kogan photographed them in Israel

Sacred to goddess: Known as Athene noctua or Little Owls, these birds were sacred to the goddess Athena

 Originally shared from http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2209117/Little-Owls-prepare-flight-Israel.html