Owls

Due to a popular fantasy book about a teenage wizard (ok, I'll stop sounding politically correct, I worshipped the Harry Potter series about as much as the Islamic religion studies the Qur'an), many may think that this blog has something to do with that. However, my affinity for a certain creature in this series has come from personal interest and emotional response from seeing such majestic creatures. No, it doesn't have to do with dragons or hippogriffs.

Yes, I did take this picture. Unfortunately, I have so far become acquainted with owls only during bird shows.

In Brasil, I lived in a small home that bordered a large field. At night, we saw silent, dark, almost ghost-like creators flying over this field back and forth in search of small prey. One of them decided to fly right over my head and into the back of the house. As it flew over, I could clearly see its face and dark, beady eyes for a split second. I couldn't believe such a beautiful and majestic creature could come so close to me. Until that moment, I had never seen an owl (I'm sure I did at the zoo, but I never have any memories of seeing one until that point). A few months later in a completely different city and state, I saw a different owl fly overhead, again making a split-second eye contact. It gave me the chills seeing such a beautiful bird flying silently over my head.

Turns out, I could (and hope) to take care of one someday. Most people start out by doing falconry, then they can expand and specialize in hawks, eagles, or even owls. If anyone has ever become familiar with any birds of prey, they know how amazing it is to see them and learn how they live,  and how amazing they are at flying.

Again, I got the picture from a bird show I attended.

The owl above is a barn owl. Out of all the owls, this one's flight is the most silent. It may seem like he doesn't have ears; however, he can hear best out of all the owl family. He is rare in Utah, but much more common up north. I hope someday I can have one living at or near my house. Some are bred in captivity, but most farmers up north can build a box for the owls to roost in and wait for the owl to come.

Anyways, I thought I'd share that life goal with you! If you ever see an owl near UT county, let me know. I'd love to learn how to see them around here.