A spectacular Barred Owl flew low and slow across a town road I was driving on, giving me that best look ever at that lovely bird. Wow!
Barred Owl in flight. Photo by Arlene Koziol
Since this odd weather has me spending too much time inside, I've been pondering the meaning of that encounter.
The first reflection is that regardless of weather, I need to spend more time outside. I don't see the owl from my basement bunker. Even with the lousy mix of snow, rain, and very cold nights, spring is here with birds leading the way. Yesterday brought close encounters with big, wild birds: Sandhill Cranes, Canada Geese, Wood Ducks, and Wild Turkeys. I was in a valley and the cranes' calls were echoing off two hills. That will be my aural encounter of the year.
Sandhill Crane unison call. Photo by Arlene Koziol
Secondly, defensive driving is a really good idea. Had I not been driving carefully, I would have been picking the owl out of my grill. One of the more dangerous effects of COVID has been the deterioration of driving care and etiquette. Starman, the movie, foresaw these times when the alien hero notes to the helpful earthling with reference to stoplights: Yellow means fast, red means faster. So, be careful and save a bird and maybe yourself.
Owls have often been considered omens, often of bad stuff, like death. Did this bird bring bad tidings? Sally and I have friends and colleagues who are dying or have been diagnosed with serious illnesses. We've also revised our wills because the recipients of some of our bequests have died or are too old to enjoy some of the cool stuff we were leaving them.
Whether you see an owl or not, make sure you have a will or check the one you have to see if it's up to date and reflects your wishes. Shameless Madison Audubon plug: please consider leaving a legacy, even a small one for birds and habitats through Madison Audubon. In fact, they have a very neat partnership with FreeWill, which allows you to fill out a will — yes, for free — regardless of whether you leave a gift for Madison Audubon or not. Learn more here.
Barred Owl. Photo by Arlene Koziol
I don't believe this owl was directed to deliver any particular news to me. But this blog reminds me that when we don't encounter nature simply as it is. We experience nature with our past and many bits and pieces of our culture brought to bear. We are often surprised what memories or reflections the sight of a bird, a tree, a landscape might trigger. I suppose one might wish to experience nature without that baggage but that might not be a human experience. More often than not, I find the associations and thoughts a natural encounter provokes are comforting, enjoyable, and, sometimes, helpful.
But none of this happens if you're not outside where that owl can fly past you or the cranes' call startles you. Spend as much time as you can outdoors this spring—that's the best spring tonic ever.
Written by Topf Wells, Madison Audubon advocacy committee
