1 hour, 1 minute, 1 second
There are mornings and then there are mornings… this morning was one of those extra special mornings that I will never forget. I went to Silvio - perfect conditions - 32 degrees, no wind, and I knew the sun was going to show up. I arrived at about my usual time - about 40 minutes before sunrise. I decided to commit to the 1 mile loop and see what I could spot. It was incredibly quiet and beautiful. I made my way around the first time with hardly a peep or chirp from anyone. I decided to go around again - a few birds were singing and flitting around. The sun was starting to come through the trees and it was just beautiful but no luck in the birding department. As I rounded the last corner of my second time around I decided to do the loop for a third time -why not? Well…. the third time was a charm.
AS I began the loop for a third time I was convinced I would spot something… lighting was beautiful and I had the place to myself. Near the beginning of the loop there is a second boardwalk and I always really take my time here because the boardwalk takes you over a small area of wetlands. This is always a prime area for at least some activity. Just as I was following the boardwalk to my right I saw a flash of movement! I was convinced it was a barred hunting (because I wanted it to be! :)). ….as quietly as possible I made my way forward while scanning high and low … and then… just ahead and to my right I spotted her through the trees and branches just as the light was starting to pop through.
Please come along with me as I take you through exactly 1 hour, 1 minute and 1 second of amazing….I cannot believe that is exactly the amount of time that passed from my first shot of her to my last… incredible…. You will need some time to go through this as I am sharing more shots than usual in this post - I hope that you enjoy.
As soon as I took this shot I moved quietly to my left to try and find a spot with fewer branches in the way….
It is always a profoundly moving experience to be in the presence of an owl and this was no exception…
So often owls will alternate between very short rests and spurts of total alertness - it is incredible to witness. Right after I took this shot she flew off - I stayed in position and followed her weaving her way through the woods and I thought I spotted her landing in the distance in a tree that abuts one of the fields. I made my way while constantly scanning the trees and branches to try and spot her… and there she was!
I wanted a better angle so after watching her from this position for a few minutes I decided to keep moving to my left…
How beautiful is she?
As she was so intent on scoping out the field I thought she might stay there for awhile. I then decided to keep moving to my left and try to find a way to get more of a front-on view of her.
Right after this shot I had to move further back to move to the left but it gave me a 90 degree view to her with no branches in the way. . As soon as I set up she looked my way…
Can you feel how peaceful this moment is?
I just love seeing them in this kind of position ….
Rest time again…
Right from resting to high alert….
Off in a flash!
And since she was heading downhill and low I thought I might have a chance to find her again…. so off I went….
After quite some time I found her again! Right after this shot she took off again out over the field…
I decided to wait since it seemed like she kept coming back to the woods…. I waited and waited… Then all of a sudden I sensed some motion behind me - I turned just in time to see her flying very low and through the trees towards the backside of the wetland area where I had originally seen her when I first spotted her this morning.. I kept looking and looking to try and spot her…. and then I did in the middle of the brambles and branches! I will never forget what happened next. All of a sudden I heard a sound I have never heard before -almost like some type of a screech. And then the following all happened in less than 2 seconds! It was the best I could since I had no idea what was happening and I couldn’t anticipate anything so I just fired away! Wow!
This is when I finally could see that there was another barred owl coming in! It is mating season…maybe that was what was happening?? or??
And that was the end of 1 hour, 1 minute and 1 second of amazing! She flew out and away and I never located her again - absolutely jaw dropping…
I finally caught my breath and packed up. I drove home along Rte 47 from Hadley through Sunderland. As I was driving down South Main Street in Sunderland I looked up towards the tree where I have spotted the screech owl in previous years… and because it was that kind of morning - he was sitting in the hole! So I quickly turned around, parked the car and grabbed my gear.
I learned this year that the Sunderland Elementary School kids have named him Horton… So please enjoy seeing Horton again!
As I was taking this shot I could hear a Blue Jay squawking loudly behind me coming towards Horton. He instantly dropped down into his hole and that was that - the Blue Jay kept flying right on by…
Giving thanks to each of you and all that Mother Nature shares with us…