Oh, so lucky! To hear an owl conversation is delightful enough, but to actually see one must have been thrilling. And you are exactly right about it bringing wildness into your heart.
BTW, although I know you don't like to put words to bird song, I use this mneumonic device: Great Horned Owl says, "Whooo's awake? Me, too!" and Barred Owl says, " Who cooks for you? Who cooks for you allll?" ❤️🦉
So true--the way nature brushes one's ego aside. I've had a similar experience (but not with owls) twice in my life and I treasure both for the deep insights they gave me into the irrelevance of humankind. Thanks again, Richard!
I might. But it will be difficult to write without seeming overly emotional or gushy. You successfully avoided that trap and still made excellent points.
By the way, have you read Claire Keegan's mini-novel Foster? I am still stunned at how she manages to tell such a complex and heart-rending story without ever really spelling it out. It's the reader who slowly gets to get the point. It reminded me of The Dead, where Joyce did something quite similar, told it thoroughly without seeming to tell it at all.
How lucky you are to have seen a Great Horned Owl! Here in VT we have barred owls and I love hearing their mating dialogue in spring. A few summers ago I saw some fluttering of great wings in the woods behind my house and thought an owl was in trouble. When I investigated, I saw it was ripping apart and devouring a large turkey. Another time one dove from the tree just beyond the dining room windows and caught a mouse under the feeder. Swallowed it whole. One less mouse for our traps! Thanks for getting me going on thoughts of these wise creatures. Be well, Richard.
Beautiful post, Richard! I had the thrill of witnessing two Great Horned Owls mate. They first sounded like dogs in a vicious fight, which is what got my attention. They were in a tree about 20 feet from my screen porch. I could see their outlines in the moonlight. The act itself was over in two seconds. That's not an exaggeration. Might have even been one. YouTube it!
Wonderful! Who doesn't love those beautiful birds?
And it's true that they somehow seem more like mammals than birds. The word for "owl" in Chinese translates as "raptor with a cat's head."
I love that, Laura. Raptor with a cat's head! Perfect!
Oh, so lucky! To hear an owl conversation is delightful enough, but to actually see one must have been thrilling. And you are exactly right about it bringing wildness into your heart.
BTW, although I know you don't like to put words to bird song, I use this mneumonic device: Great Horned Owl says, "Whooo's awake? Me, too!" and Barred Owl says, " Who cooks for you? Who cooks for you allll?" ❤️🦉
Glad you liked the piece, Elizabeth, and thanks for your good words.
So true--the way nature brushes one's ego aside. I've had a similar experience (but not with owls) twice in my life and I treasure both for the deep insights they gave me into the irrelevance of humankind. Thanks again, Richard!
Would you want to write about those, Nancy?
I might. But it will be difficult to write without seeming overly emotional or gushy. You successfully avoided that trap and still made excellent points.
By the way, have you read Claire Keegan's mini-novel Foster? I am still stunned at how she manages to tell such a complex and heart-rending story without ever really spelling it out. It's the reader who slowly gets to get the point. It reminded me of The Dead, where Joyce did something quite similar, told it thoroughly without seeming to tell it at all.
Yes, that can be a fine line.
How lucky you are to have seen a Great Horned Owl! Here in VT we have barred owls and I love hearing their mating dialogue in spring. A few summers ago I saw some fluttering of great wings in the woods behind my house and thought an owl was in trouble. When I investigated, I saw it was ripping apart and devouring a large turkey. Another time one dove from the tree just beyond the dining room windows and caught a mouse under the feeder. Swallowed it whole. One less mouse for our traps! Thanks for getting me going on thoughts of these wise creatures. Be well, Richard.
Ellie, he got a turkey! Those suckers are big! I'm glad you're doing so well with your work.
Beautiful post, Richard! I had the thrill of witnessing two Great Horned Owls mate. They first sounded like dogs in a vicious fight, which is what got my attention. They were in a tree about 20 feet from my screen porch. I could see their outlines in the moonlight. The act itself was over in two seconds. That's not an exaggeration. Might have even been one. YouTube it!
Thanks, Jo. That must have been some sight!