A rare crepuscular ghost of a bird floats over our winter grasslands. When a friend reported seeing several of them in a restored prairie on private land west of town, I decided to visit at dusk. I followed her directions and ended up driving down a dusty county road that ended at a T intersection. Several hundred acres of prairie stretched over rolling land in front of me. I scanned the prairie with my binoculars and noticed a plume of dust off in the distance. I watched the car come down the road, slow down, and stop beside me. Two bright-eyed teenage boys peered out the window and asked if I was looking for Short-eared Owls. I said "yes," and they asked if they could join me. We stood side-by-side and watched the fading light settle over the prairie. Within a few minutes, a tawny, mothlike bird appeared in the distance and started hovering over the grass a few hundred yards away. Soon after, a second owl appeared. Then, the show began.
Thank you for sharing your awesome encounter with these owls. I particularly liked how you link being in nature with strengthening human connections. Beautiful writing.
Bill - beautiful article on what was obviously an amazing experience. I have been working on an article lately about my own connection with nature, being grounded, overcoming loneliness, etc... You said all the things I wanted to say! Love your guys group idea as well. Keep up the great work. Your story is powerful.
As we bird watch out of the kitchen window every Tuesday and Thursday, little Luca (2 years old) can identify the mommy and daddy Cardinals, the Junco, and his favorite, the Dove. (Where is our Bluejay)? These are moments of wonder for both of us.
Owls are one of my most beloved species of birds and I love reading about your close encounters with them here as well as the photos. What a wonderful meeting with them!
Simply perfect way to define the awe of standing still , being in the slow, calm inhale and exhale of tracking a bird . Until the grand finale as it passes .The body electric on fire for only a moment. Glowing with your whole being before, one foot in front of the other, taking the path back home .
The physiological reactions of the body to joy . The “emotion circuitry of the brain“ , the endorphin release . You don’t have to over think it, it will happen without your efforts. Watching birds, nature.
If you have not indulged yourself, read Bill’s post again. And give it try.
Your photography is, well, literally and figuratively ‘above and beyond’.
Fabulous post Bill! I live very near the Parker River National Wildlife Refuge, we get them in the winter too. I love seeing them and the harrier hawks too.
This is such a gift, both for you to witness and for us to read. Thank you these beautiful images, to be with you in such gorgeous encounters. Just beautiful. 💜🦉
Hell yes, jump in the air, give it your best WOO-HOO, lay down ( of course not during tick season), eyes to the sky, laughing out loud.
Isn’t it amazing how these particular memories become a permanent part of who we are. Throughout the years, always available to be taken out and experienced all over again.
On a side note, as a woman, I would just like to say “The League
Brave and beautiful writing both evocative and revelatory. I have used that same quote from the Desert Fathers, but the prairie owls don't need it, they already are the sacred fire.
Thank you for sharing your awesome encounter with these owls. I particularly liked how you link being in nature with strengthening human connections. Beautiful writing.
An extraordinary experience, stunning photographs and a wonderful ‘essay’. Thanks so much. 🤗🤗
To wake to this post is so grand! The pictures are marvelous. I thank you for all of it!
Bill - beautiful article on what was obviously an amazing experience. I have been working on an article lately about my own connection with nature, being grounded, overcoming loneliness, etc... You said all the things I wanted to say! Love your guys group idea as well. Keep up the great work. Your story is powerful.
As we bird watch out of the kitchen window every Tuesday and Thursday, little Luca (2 years old) can identify the mommy and daddy Cardinals, the Junco, and his favorite, the Dove. (Where is our Bluejay)? These are moments of wonder for both of us.
Beautiful photos!
Owls are one of my most beloved species of birds and I love reading about your close encounters with them here as well as the photos. What a wonderful meeting with them!
A Rush.
Simply perfect way to define the awe of standing still , being in the slow, calm inhale and exhale of tracking a bird . Until the grand finale as it passes .The body electric on fire for only a moment. Glowing with your whole being before, one foot in front of the other, taking the path back home .
The physiological reactions of the body to joy . The “emotion circuitry of the brain“ , the endorphin release . You don’t have to over think it, it will happen without your efforts. Watching birds, nature.
If you have not indulged yourself, read Bill’s post again. And give it try.
Your photography is, well, literally and figuratively ‘above and beyond’.
“Let the beauty we love be what we do.”
A worthy goal.
Many thanks.
This article was so incredibly written that it spoke directly to my heart. It was beautiful poetry. We are part of the same tribe. Thank you Bill
Gorgeous owl photos and story of your encounter. How lucky. I love owls!
Wonderful!
Fabulous post Bill! I live very near the Parker River National Wildlife Refuge, we get them in the winter too. I love seeing them and the harrier hawks too.
Thank you for these wonderful photos and information.
This is such a gift, both for you to witness and for us to read. Thank you these beautiful images, to be with you in such gorgeous encounters. Just beautiful. 💜🦉
Hell yes, jump in the air, give it your best WOO-HOO, lay down ( of course not during tick season), eyes to the sky, laughing out loud.
Isn’t it amazing how these particular memories become a permanent part of who we are. Throughout the years, always available to be taken out and experienced all over again.
On a side note, as a woman, I would just like to say “The League
of Extraordinary Gentleman” is a beautiful thing.
Brave and beautiful writing both evocative and revelatory. I have used that same quote from the Desert Fathers, but the prairie owls don't need it, they already are the sacred fire.