The crystalline scream of a Great-horned Owl pierced the silence. I followed it to the source and found two fully grown young owls perched in a Black Walnut tree. Their screams could be them begging for food, indicating stress or danger, or sharing their location.
One warm summer evening as my wife and I traveled a lonely country road, we came upon an somewhat small owl sitting in the middle of the lane we were traveling in. I slowed, figuring it would soon take off. It didn’t, instead choosing to stay right there. I came to a stop about ten feet away and turned off my headlights, leaving my parking lights on. After watching the owl for a few minutes, I got out and approached this unique creature; it did not move and I walked right up to it and sat down next to it. I spoke to it softly, then reached out and began to stroke its incredibly soft neck. This went on for several minutes, and I became concerned for the owl, thinking perhaps it was ill. Eventually I made a soft clicking sound, and with that the owl spread its wings and flew off into the darkness. It was one of the most wonderful experiences of my life. That encounter with such a beautiful creature left me feeling blessed.
I love this week's column and am fascinated by owls. I am a little bothered by the photo at the top because the owl looks pretty stressed to me but perhaps not. In any case, thank you for these insights. I was told that, if I wanted to find owls, to look down, not up, because their pellets and other digestive material are clues that one is in the area. We have a Great Horned Howl on our property who reminds us when it's 4 am but we have never seen our elusive friend.
Also I have seen barn swallows pick up a small fluffy feather and drop it in the air. Another will pick it up and drop it in the same spot. They kept repeating the game twittering with joy for about 6 or so drops. Then back to work!!! My husband thought I was nuts till he saw it for himself.
Sep 2, 2023·edited Sep 2, 2023Liked by Bill Davison
Recently retired in Florida and have become enamored with the barred owls that occasionally occupy the trees behind our home. Usually hear them late at night as I stand outside enjoying the serenade. I have seen on a couple occasions in late afternoon or early evening, an owl swoop silently at high speed past my lanai without flapping its wings, into the grove of trees, up into the upper branches. I did a little research and was amazed to learn how their large wings, light bodies and wing strokes allow them to fly more silently than any other bird. We have plenty of interesting birds in Florida: sandhill cranes, red tailed hawks, flamingos, even bald eagles, though I have yet to see one. But none as interesting to me as the barred owl in my back yard.
I added both book recommendations to my list and I'm excited to read them! Seems like it's almost every night now I'm woken up in the middle of the night by owl noises. Also, thanks, now I'm enthralled by these owl livestreams! Lol
I just came across your column and this essay. Thank you for sharing your keen observations. I read Jennifer Ackerman’s book this summer- an excellent read, as are all her books. I do want to point out though that she features compassionate men as well as compassionate women - People who are (com)passionate about owls : )!
Owls are, in my view, simply wonderful creatures, from every perspective. Unless you’re standing under one at the wrong moment, I suppose. They’re smart, complex, endowed with capabilities of flight, hearing, vision, communication, temperament, hunting, and more, of which we generally understand the vaguest outlines and little more.
We’re fortunate enough to live in an older suburban neighborhood with a fair number of mature trees, a small creek that hasn’t yet been turned completely into a concrete ditch, and a dab here and there of more-or-less natural areas, enough such that the ‘hood routinely hosts both barred and great horned owls. Our backyard has a natural garden (at least that’s what I call the natural area when the city asks about it), about 700 sq ft in total, along with several mature trees, some smaller ones, a back fence overgrown with euonymus, a short row of American hazelnut along another fence, and a built pond, about as big as a pair of queen-sized beds, with a stream bed/waterfall.
The area is, not surprisingly, a bird magnet. As well as an attractant of various small furry mammals, bees, bugs, and butterflies, and more. I adore the whole messy, beautiful affair.
And I especially adore it when there’s an owl perched in the magnolia over the pond, or in the elm next to the hazelnut row, or the big spruce, or one of the native black cherries.
We more often see barred owls out back; in recent years, young owls have shown up back there accompanied loosely by adults to roost during the day and hunt in the dark or crepuscular hours. Each time I am fortunate enough to see one, I feel blessed.
Because I’m frequently out back, but generally try to be quiet when I’m out, sometimes an owl will come to tolerate me a bit, enough so that I sometimes get to know enough about one to be able to recognize that individual. Then I know that, while I’m probably not quite entirely ‘living right’, I at least have my moments.
I was very interested in your description of the tussling youngsters. I’d have loved to watch that behavior.
As for vocalizations, whew! Barred owls can create a ruckus that, if one tries to reproduce the sounds to share with others, friends and loved ones will think the person in serious need of psychiatric care. And it’s a complicated ruckus, too; I’m sometimes reminded of the noise and seeming mayhem of a busy cafe with calls and orders flying back and forth amongst waiters, cooks, hosts, etc. From the apparent chaos, small miracles emerge.
What a beautiful, well-written, and resonant piece. As a fellow devotee to what is wild, and learning from Nature on its own terms - I find a very satisfying, specifically inclusive clarity expressed in your words. This is Nature’s call-sign, is it not? I look forward to perusing your work 🙏🏼
What a wonderful article. I live in a suburb of Kansas City. There is an owl in our backyard at dusk every night. I know when it arrives due to the Blue Jays warning - loud & crazy. It is beautiful! I think it is a Barred Owl. The Owl swoops down the hill to say hello. Or at least that is what I’d like to think. Fascinating to watch. Thank you for this article. And thank you for the book recommendations!
What a marvelous topic, owls and understanding owls. I’m delight to learn that a 3/4 stance and sideways glance is a calm and respectful way to help owls feel safer near a person!
I am glad you mentioned enthralling true story of Wesley the Owl.
I have always loved owls and count myself lucky to see one in the wild. Now I know a better way to observe them, thank you. This recommendation is also true of many animals, they do not like eye to eye contact as it counts as aggression and can be met with aggression.
I enjoyed reading this so much. I know so little about owls, but was sitting outside one evening with a friend the other week and we had a discussion about the different sounds that owls make, of all things. I cannot wait to share this with him as soon as it's late enough in the morning to ping his phone.
P.S. Congratulations on the Substack Reads recommendation! That is how I found your delightful home here.
I loved this article!! Have loved birds ever since I was a little girl. Loved to be alone in the woods. Was lucky to grow up in a rural area west of Boston. Now I live in South Carolina. We have many birds here. Many Barred Owls and Red Shouldered and Coopers Hawks. A family that lives near us have 2 kids that play in a pool at night under a big spotlight that goes into the woods. I saw a Barred owl sit up in a tree watching them and calling out to them. The bright light had to be right in its eyes!! Stayed there for quite a while, tolerating my curiosity!
Nature teaches us so gently.🌿
“A diffuse light where humble people extend kindness to others and, in so doing, change the world in unforeseen ways.”
One warm summer evening as my wife and I traveled a lonely country road, we came upon an somewhat small owl sitting in the middle of the lane we were traveling in. I slowed, figuring it would soon take off. It didn’t, instead choosing to stay right there. I came to a stop about ten feet away and turned off my headlights, leaving my parking lights on. After watching the owl for a few minutes, I got out and approached this unique creature; it did not move and I walked right up to it and sat down next to it. I spoke to it softly, then reached out and began to stroke its incredibly soft neck. This went on for several minutes, and I became concerned for the owl, thinking perhaps it was ill. Eventually I made a soft clicking sound, and with that the owl spread its wings and flew off into the darkness. It was one of the most wonderful experiences of my life. That encounter with such a beautiful creature left me feeling blessed.
I love this week's column and am fascinated by owls. I am a little bothered by the photo at the top because the owl looks pretty stressed to me but perhaps not. In any case, thank you for these insights. I was told that, if I wanted to find owls, to look down, not up, because their pellets and other digestive material are clues that one is in the area. We have a Great Horned Howl on our property who reminds us when it's 4 am but we have never seen our elusive friend.
Also I have seen barn swallows pick up a small fluffy feather and drop it in the air. Another will pick it up and drop it in the same spot. They kept repeating the game twittering with joy for about 6 or so drops. Then back to work!!! My husband thought I was nuts till he saw it for himself.
That Japanese owl painting is stunning. Great essay, thanks for writing.
Recently retired in Florida and have become enamored with the barred owls that occasionally occupy the trees behind our home. Usually hear them late at night as I stand outside enjoying the serenade. I have seen on a couple occasions in late afternoon or early evening, an owl swoop silently at high speed past my lanai without flapping its wings, into the grove of trees, up into the upper branches. I did a little research and was amazed to learn how their large wings, light bodies and wing strokes allow them to fly more silently than any other bird. We have plenty of interesting birds in Florida: sandhill cranes, red tailed hawks, flamingos, even bald eagles, though I have yet to see one. But none as interesting to me as the barred owl in my back yard.
I added both book recommendations to my list and I'm excited to read them! Seems like it's almost every night now I'm woken up in the middle of the night by owl noises. Also, thanks, now I'm enthralled by these owl livestreams! Lol
I just came across your column and this essay. Thank you for sharing your keen observations. I read Jennifer Ackerman’s book this summer- an excellent read, as are all her books. I do want to point out though that she features compassionate men as well as compassionate women - People who are (com)passionate about owls : )!
Owls are, in my view, simply wonderful creatures, from every perspective. Unless you’re standing under one at the wrong moment, I suppose. They’re smart, complex, endowed with capabilities of flight, hearing, vision, communication, temperament, hunting, and more, of which we generally understand the vaguest outlines and little more.
We’re fortunate enough to live in an older suburban neighborhood with a fair number of mature trees, a small creek that hasn’t yet been turned completely into a concrete ditch, and a dab here and there of more-or-less natural areas, enough such that the ‘hood routinely hosts both barred and great horned owls. Our backyard has a natural garden (at least that’s what I call the natural area when the city asks about it), about 700 sq ft in total, along with several mature trees, some smaller ones, a back fence overgrown with euonymus, a short row of American hazelnut along another fence, and a built pond, about as big as a pair of queen-sized beds, with a stream bed/waterfall.
The area is, not surprisingly, a bird magnet. As well as an attractant of various small furry mammals, bees, bugs, and butterflies, and more. I adore the whole messy, beautiful affair.
And I especially adore it when there’s an owl perched in the magnolia over the pond, or in the elm next to the hazelnut row, or the big spruce, or one of the native black cherries.
We more often see barred owls out back; in recent years, young owls have shown up back there accompanied loosely by adults to roost during the day and hunt in the dark or crepuscular hours. Each time I am fortunate enough to see one, I feel blessed.
Because I’m frequently out back, but generally try to be quiet when I’m out, sometimes an owl will come to tolerate me a bit, enough so that I sometimes get to know enough about one to be able to recognize that individual. Then I know that, while I’m probably not quite entirely ‘living right’, I at least have my moments.
I was very interested in your description of the tussling youngsters. I’d have loved to watch that behavior.
As for vocalizations, whew! Barred owls can create a ruckus that, if one tries to reproduce the sounds to share with others, friends and loved ones will think the person in serious need of psychiatric care. And it’s a complicated ruckus, too; I’m sometimes reminded of the noise and seeming mayhem of a busy cafe with calls and orders flying back and forth amongst waiters, cooks, hosts, etc. From the apparent chaos, small miracles emerge.
What a beautiful, well-written, and resonant piece. As a fellow devotee to what is wild, and learning from Nature on its own terms - I find a very satisfying, specifically inclusive clarity expressed in your words. This is Nature’s call-sign, is it not? I look forward to perusing your work 🙏🏼
What a wonderful article. I live in a suburb of Kansas City. There is an owl in our backyard at dusk every night. I know when it arrives due to the Blue Jays warning - loud & crazy. It is beautiful! I think it is a Barred Owl. The Owl swoops down the hill to say hello. Or at least that is what I’d like to think. Fascinating to watch. Thank you for this article. And thank you for the book recommendations!
What a marvelous topic, owls and understanding owls. I’m delight to learn that a 3/4 stance and sideways glance is a calm and respectful way to help owls feel safer near a person!
I am glad you mentioned enthralling true story of Wesley the Owl.
I have always loved owls and count myself lucky to see one in the wild. Now I know a better way to observe them, thank you. This recommendation is also true of many animals, they do not like eye to eye contact as it counts as aggression and can be met with aggression.
Thank you for enlightening us about owls! I learned a lot. Their behaviour in reaction to us is especially insightful.
I enjoyed reading this so much. I know so little about owls, but was sitting outside one evening with a friend the other week and we had a discussion about the different sounds that owls make, of all things. I cannot wait to share this with him as soon as it's late enough in the morning to ping his phone.
P.S. Congratulations on the Substack Reads recommendation! That is how I found your delightful home here.
I loved this article!! Have loved birds ever since I was a little girl. Loved to be alone in the woods. Was lucky to grow up in a rural area west of Boston. Now I live in South Carolina. We have many birds here. Many Barred Owls and Red Shouldered and Coopers Hawks. A family that lives near us have 2 kids that play in a pool at night under a big spotlight that goes into the woods. I saw a Barred owl sit up in a tree watching them and calling out to them. The bright light had to be right in its eyes!! Stayed there for quite a while, tolerating my curiosity!