Happy To See You, My Old Friend!

  Before daybreak, an owl could be heard off in the distance.  Stepping on the back deck, it was evident that the bird was down in the creek in one of the old pines.  Thinking it was far too dark to go traipsing down there in search of an elusive bird, I took my mug of coffee out to the front steps.  There, I sat in the dark under the shaded arbor.  Bat, the cat, sat nearby as if he even thought it was still too early to be out and about. The owl, kept hooting but nothing else could be heard.

  Along about daybreak, the cat scooted down to the marsh edge to patrol his territory and the owl came closer to the house.  Hmmm....that owl sounded large enough to tote off the cat, if it so desired.  Bat had better be careful!  Suddenly, the hooting was so very close!  Turning, I spied the owl just above my head!  It had come into the garden and was on a low limb of the old oak tree. I slowly picked up the camera and aimed at the bird.  Well, that beat all!  A single twig sat between the two of us.  There would be no photographs unless one of us moved and that old owl seemed to be mighty comfortable where it was.  Yep, I got up and moved closer.

  The owl had no problems with me being only about 15 feet from it.  The bird stared at me a few moments then when right back to hooting!  As I took picture after picture, memories came back of an owl that would often visit the garden and sit on that very limb or on the fence post.  I pondered if this could be the same one.  It has been several years since the bird visited the gardens.  Friend Owl, as long as you leave the cat alone, you are more than welcome to visit any time you choose.  I am honored!