I saw a great gray owl the other day. It was so beautiful and so magnificent.
I stepped outside of my house and heard a huge swoosh. I looked up to see an owl fly right over my head and land on a nearby branch. I couldn’t believe it.
I never see owls throughout the year but always around the end of December one appears. And it isn’t the same one, always different. Last year I saw a barred owl. So incredible. I don’t know enough about birds, I just enjoy seeing them.
A couple of years ago I joined the Facebook group called Bulkley Valley Birders because I needed a photo for the newspaper. I stayed in the group because of the incredible photography. It is amazing how many great photographers there are in the valley. It is also amazing how much knowledge there is.
After I saw my most recent owl, I quickly and quietly grabbed a photo. I didn’t want to disturb it as it looked like it might be hunting. But I uploaded it to the Facebook group and asked for help identifying it. Within minutes someone said it was a great gray owl. I was so happy to have the information.
Now that I had the info, I grabbed an encyclopedia, just kidding. I went to the internet to learn more.
I was surprised to learn that the great gray is the world's largest species of owl by length. They eat voles, gophers, mice, shrews, squirrels, weasels, small birds and sometimes frogs.
They hunt at night and during the day. I got to witness it perched on a branch and swooping down. I don’t think it caught anything that time so I backed away slowly to let it be.
Apparently, The great gray owl is an elusive bird that is not easy to find so I feel lucky I got to see one.
In many cultures, owls are regarded as good luck symbols that bring wealth, good health, and prosperity.
What a good way to end one year and kick off another.
