The other day in the middle of refilling my coffee container with a bold rich blend of Italian Roast (the motorcycle on the front and the memory it evoked of the motorcycle riders we saw in Bavaria had nothing to do with my selection), Chris hollered from the laundry room - "hey look at this, come here!"
So I of course dropped everything, ran in there, and he pointed out a big owl sitting on top of the lamp-post right in front of the house. Which of course made me run for the camera, acting as though I had never seen an owl in my entire life.
Which is completely not true - Sister and I just saw some last year at the Douglas Family Preserve in Santa Barbara - but I digress.
He was as curious about me as I was about him and he swiveled his head around to follow my movements. He did not swoop down and land on my head, or snatch my hat, or anything dramatic like that. Still it was a moment that needed recording. Though I will admit, to seeing how some individuals could think I am going overboard about our personal owl siting.
In about 20 years when we are rocking on the porch talking about the "old days when we lived through the coronavirus pandemic" Chris will probably reach over and poke me and say (in a very excited tone) "and remember that day we saw the owl?", and I will pat his arm and say "yes honey"... like old folks do.
P.S. you knew I was going to show you a photo of this man on his Vespa didn't you? I was also going to show you the photo of the chocolate/cherry Bavarian torte we had with coffee at the cafe we were sitting at when we saw this. But that would have been going too far.
Thanks, Carol! What a great shot! I would have been excited too! He clearly is checking you out. Thanks again for your blog and you!
Posted by: jacki long | 03/19/2020 at 10:22 PM
what a beauty--the owl--not necessarily the guy on the scooterJ
Posted by: Janet | 03/20/2020 at 07:37 AM
Thanks Carol for your posts. Enjoying the small things such as owl sightings is important in challenging times. And, Thank you for your service and the support you get from Chris.
Posted by: Emie | 03/20/2020 at 07:53 AM
I follow a number of bird photographers on Instagram, and have learned to recognize a lot of owls. I think that's a barred owl. (I believe its call sounds like "who cooks for you!", just in case you hear it some time.)
Who cool, to see this individual up close and personal (typo -- I meant to say "how" but decided "who" was better!)!
We have lots of hawks in our neighborhood, but I haven't seen any owls. (I find it a lot harder to recognize hawks than owls. Alas.)
Posted by: Vicki in Michigan | 03/20/2020 at 11:26 AM
Well, of course you ran around. Anyone with an ounce of sense would do that. Well, at least I would. Great shot, both the owl and the guy on the scooter. Thanks!
Posted by: Linda Watson | 03/20/2020 at 03:21 PM
Ha! Janet I thought the guy on the scooter was pretty cute :-)
Posted by: carol | 03/20/2020 at 06:46 PM
Thanks for reading Emie!
Posted by: carol | 03/20/2020 at 06:47 PM
Vickie: thanks for the owl identification!
Jacki: I thought he was looking at me too....
Linda: glad to know I am not alone in my thinking :-)
Posted by: carol | 03/20/2020 at 06:50 PM
I smiled and smiled at this lovely account.
We hear Little Owls at night in the trees by our house. It's strangely comforting but I've never seen one. Maybe I should get up and creep out to look. Long may owls call to each other.
Posted by: Chrissy | 03/24/2020 at 03:21 AM
Amen to that Chrissy. What would we do without birds? Stay well over there my friend.
Posted by: carol | 03/24/2020 at 06:43 PM