Owl Be There

11:11 pm

Taking a look at my previous posts I realized I never did share my most recent Owl story.  It's not so much a story I suppose as an episode in my book of lovely Owl experiences.

This one, like the others, was very simple.  Over way too quickly but leaving a lasting impression.

A few months ago I stepped out on my deck in the middle of the night.  I live in a "City in the Country" as the city's motto goes, but currently live in a part that's more city than country.  However I happily enjoy a totally private deck with a little forested strip that runs between my place and a light industrial area.  I see the usual forest animals back here, with eagles, hawks, hummingbirds, heron, coyote, rabbit, and deer often making an appearance.  I love it.

I was up as usual in the middle of the night, unable to sleep (in ascension, one's changing patterns can be difficult to negotiate with the rest of the world’s schedule!), and feeling hot and stuffy, I stepped out on the deck leaning out on the cool railing, my hands, forearms and head sticking out.  I was just taking a nice deep breath while surveying the forest to my right when suddenly I saw a movement, dark and silent and very close, out  of the corner of my left eye. 

I turned, startled and unsure what presence was suddenly inches away from me.  I pulled back as I turned, and saw a great horned owl soaring by my chest, and I took in a sharp intake of breath in shock and surprise.  I watched as it flew to my right, skimming along the side of the building, soaring soundlessly and effortlessly through the darkness, down into the trees and disappearing from sight. 

I stood there with my eyes wide open a long time, barely breathing, and the echo of my gasp still hanging in the air.  The stillness of the night combined with the suddenness of the encounter created a moment where time stopped and one finds oneself in a heightened awareness; in the peak of an experience.

What is kind of cool is this is not the first experience of this type I’ve had with this Owl while outside on my deck.  This past spring and summer I observed his maturing as he learned to fly and hunt with his parent.  They would hoot to each other all night and hunt from a particular tree.  So on another night I had stepped out onto the deck with my camera to film the moon.  As I leaned over the deck I saw something out of the corner of my eye and this time saw the Owl coming at me along side the building.  I tried to swoop around with my video to capture him, but all I got was a very blurry video and my reaction to the Owl flying by so close.

What I suspect is the Owl sees the motion of my hand over the railing and sensing a potential prey, swoops in for a look.  A silent and deadly hunter, I suspect if I was his quarry, I wouldn’t stand a chance!


Owl be seeing you!
Jaynne