Encounter With An Owl

Yesterday at around 11:00am I saw a Great Horned Owl on the creek trail near my house. I’ve walked and biked this trail hundreds of times, seen all manner of aquatic birds and songbirds, river otters and turtles but never once an owl. I had originally planned on doing a bike ride, but discovered a flat in my front tire. I repaired the flat, pumped up the tire then went inside for a few minutes to fill my water bottle. When I came back outside, the tire was flat again. Not to get too mystical here, but I think the universe was telling me that a bike ride was not in the stars for me today. It was a beautiful morning, sunny and warm, so I switched to Plan B, which was a walk. 

I put in my earbuds and headed towards the creek. When I turned onto the trail, I noticed a woman standing just up ahead off to the side of the trail, her bright red shirt was like a beacon telling me to stop and take notice. I pulled up beside her, looked up and saw a large owl perched on a limb about halfway up an oak tree. The bird was so close to us, I could easily see its yellow eyes and make out the intricate patterns of its feathers. So perfect was this owl’s camouflage, one could easily look right at it and not actually see it. For several minutes this woman and I stood there in silence, two strangers sharing a rare and intimate moment with an owl. The Great Horned Owl is a large and powerful predator, this can be said with emphasis after seeing it this closely. It seemed indifferent to our presence but when I dropped my iPod its head quickly swiveled in our direction. After a few more minutes of revered observation, I continued on my way, filled with wonder and gratitude for being given this rare audience with an owl. Was this meant to be? I can’t help but answer,Yes! Was there some hidden meaning to this encounter? I believe so, but what that meaning is I’ll probably never know. I do know that this experience added a real sparkle to an already golden spring morning.

In cultures around the world and throughout human history the unexpected appearance of an animal has great significance. It can be a good omen or a portent of bad things to come. We attribute all manner of human characteristics to animals: the peaceful dove, the sly fox, the tricky coyote and of course the wise owl. Rock carvings in the southwestern United States, and paintings on the walls deep inside caves in France are just two ancient examples of the importance of animals in the human psyche and the paleo-artists powerful attempts to capture the essence of the animals they so revered. 

The unexpected appearance of a wild animal in my life never fails to fill me with wonder. Maybe there is some hidden significance to these encounters or perhaps these animals are simply here to remind me to take notice of the power and beauty in the natural world that surrounds me.