Snow and Owls
The snow has begun.
Just as it started to get dark, little snow flurries came swirling out of the sky. I had hoped it would start snowing earlier in the day, but at least it gave me time to get my errands done.
Just a moment ago I opened the door to let the dogs go out for a bit, and heard a familiar ‘whoooooOOOhoOO - whooOOooOOOOhoooo’. A Great Horned owl has been residing around here for the last few months. I had seen him several weeks ago, perched atop a telephone pole down the road… no doubt scoping the surrounding orchards for his next meal. I stepped out on the porch and peered up at the top of the three story double pine tree that grows here in front of the house. Sure enough, I could just see the outline of him perched at the very tiptop of the tree.
The wind kicked up, and some freshly fallen snow dusted around my bare feet. Just like me to walk outside in the freezing cold with bare feet, because I’m excited to hear an owl. But I wasn’t ready to go in. I just stood there with my neck craned, listening as the visitor hooted into the night sky every few seconds. Then with a stretch of huge wings, he flapped once, silently circled the top of the tree, and landed on the other side. It was just enough to put him out of view. And it had been long enough for my feet to start losing feeling.
I called the dogs in, and shut the door. I hope the owl stays around a little while longer. Our bedroom is on the top floor, that much closer to the top of the tree, and I wouldn’t mind listening to that meloncholy, muffled call as I fall asleep tonight.
