Although spring has finally lifted her sleepy head, I am still revelling in winter's owl activity. I don't much like the cold but the owls make winter bearable, and living close to Amherst Island makes it even more enjoyable. I have spent many days there this winter from dawn till dusk. On one particular day, I made a friend, and we wandered through the woods in search of the saw-whet and long-eared owls that overwinter there. It was a long walk, made more enjoyable by the gentle banter between new friends. We had met on the road and felt instantly at ease with each other. Together we circled the small trees where I knew saw-whets like to roost. I have only ever seen one other saw-whet in the wild before, so this little guy was such a treat to watch. He was very aware of our presence so we took a few quick photos and moved on. Although my winter adventures are over, I am grateful for this experience and look forward to next year.
"Gentle Breeze"
16 by 20 acrylic on canvas
