So, yesterday our good friend took me back to Fort Edward Grasslands. We had a fantastic time and saw a number of Northern Harriers, Rough-legged Hawks, a cute little American Kestrel, and assorted others. I highly recommend the area for a great birding adventure.
At the last edge of golden-orange dusk, the sky as clear as polished glass, we found a trio of Short-eared Owls, floating and fluttering above the tangled grassland. We even heard them calling.
Home again in darkness to sleep and dream of birds.
And what a weird one it was. Back hunting owls, but in a twisted dreamscape of farms and fields from childhood. Babysitting for a little boy…very little. All of us put in the back of a police car for some reason, known only to the LEO, who didn’t believe that we were just lurking after birds. After all, our phones were cool (as in temperature) and your phone gets hot when you bird. (Actually been known to happen….)
We were taken to a place where we saw dozens of owls everywhere, plus two ostriches in a fence yard near the road.
Suddenly had to change the little one's diaper. It was a bad one.
As I did so, in the distance, we heard someone calling, “Coleslaw! Coleslaw!”
Were they calling a dog with a brassica sort of name or was dinner being served?
I’ll never know because I woke up then and went downstairs. The thermostat had stuck again and the stove was going full blast.
I turned it down and stepped outdoors to listen for Great-horned Owls.
No throaty hoots drifted down from the ridge behind the house, but a gritty snow was beginning to fall.
Sometimes I wonder about my brain.
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8 comments:
That was quite a dream! And quite a visit, too, to the Ft. Edward Grasslands. I've seen the Short-eared Owls there myself, late in the day, a rare owl to hunt during daylight, and luckily Gordie Ellmers was there too with his amazing scope that he let me look through. Quite a thrill, worth freezing for. I've been down sick for a while and away from my computer, and it was wonderful to come back into your world for a visit. It must be getting exciting soon for avid birders like you, as spring arrives. I sure know where to come if I want news of birding hereabouts. Thanks for your marvelous posts.
Jacqueline, it was an amazing visit! I wish I could have bottled that sunset.
I am so sorry to read that you have been ill, and hope you are feeling much better.
It is such a treat to experience the owls and I am glad you have had the opportunity to enjoy them. I was giggling like a toddler as they flew past the car and actually hearing them call was delightful. I managed a pretty terrible recording with my phone.
We are loving this season of change, although we can't get out as much as other years. We have upwards of 100 assorted blackbirds hitting the feeder this weekend. Although they devour all the seed, I am hoping to find a Rusty Blackbird among them, so they are sorta, kinda, welcome. Stay well!
Wow, what a great day of birding!! Complete with great bird photos. That sunset with the pole/cross, is special.
I read this post the morning after having a birding dream too. I don't usually dream about birds...we were pulling a trailer and saw two owls just sitting on short poles by the road. First a Boreal and a shortly after a Snowy. My hubby was driving and we didn't stop. I drove back to the ridge, and they were still there. All they did was move their heads. I got great photos of both owls. They were on the property of some people I know. On the other side of their driveway was a deep canyon of sorts and I asked if I could sit and watch the sunset. I did, and then woke up. Weird and why those people? I barely know them or where they live (no canyons around here).
Dreams always leave me wondering about their meaning. Apparently, I really want to experience more owls!!
aurora, that is a pretty good dream! I have never seen a Boreal Owl and probably never will. Saw a Northern Hawk Owl once though, on a farm a few miles from here. It was quite the local sensation. So rare that the record is hidden from eBird. Hope you find more owls. Hope I do too. lol
Marianne . . I'm late getting to this. Your essays on life are pure poetry. This sentence alone should be published:
"At the last edge of golden-orange dusk, the sky as clear as polished glass, we found a trio of Short-eared Owls, floating and fluttering above the tangled grassland . . ."
Be well dear friend. Spring is just around the corner and I will look forward to your observations and dreams.
Cathy, I am so glad you commented. I was wondering how you and your family were doing! Thank you for your kind words. It was a beautiful evening, spent with a very special friend, with magical birds thrown in. I hope you are all doing well, and that spring gets here sooner rather than later. Hugs!
Just getting to this Marianne. Yes indeed! Spring sooner rather than later! Keith and I are in Florida through April. He loves The Villages because of the easy socializing and the golf. It is good . . but I'm ready to head north to experience spring's arrival in the midwest. But I worry about him . . his physical condition at 78 . . and so . . I smile and try not to express my desire to go home.
Now. The good man has seen that my poems found their way into a paperback book. Bless his heart. Interesting that it's a mixed blessing. Of course it's so pleasing to see"My" poems in a book. But . . hmmm. . . putting them in this formal format . . well . . . now they seem rather "average". There are a few that do bloom again as I read them . . but . . . well. {{Sigh}} :( Now the reason I've dragged on about this is that have Many copies and would love to send you a copy. Keith has made labels and shipping packages. Soooo , , , you might find one in your mailbox :) I just need you to know that I know they won't likely garner me a Pulitzer Prize for poetry :-D
Cathy, I can imagine your dilemma! Glad you will be coming home pretty soon, but envy those Florida birds. My brother sends me texts with photos of Limpkins and Ibises on his lawn to tantalize and torment me. Meanwhile I spend futile predawn moments hoping to hear the mating call of the majestic ̶m̶o̶o̶s̶e̶ Great-Horned Owl, or an amorous American Woodcock. Hugs dear friend, and boy, oh, boy, am I excited about that book! Thanks!
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