This year a new bird has taken up residence in a neighbour’s barn. He’s a “Little Owl”, and, yes, that’s his common name. His scientific name is “Athene noctua”. The “Athene” part goes right back to the belief that this owl had a special connection with Athena, and the “noctua” part comes from the Latin for “Minerva”, who was the Roman equivalent of Athena. As such, this little creature has long been held to represent wisdom and knowledge…..pretty much just what we need more of in our world.
I’ve watched him come and go and the other day there noticed he wasn’t alone. Seems he and his mate have a nest up high behind the roof beams at the back of the barn. He’s a pretty wary creature though so it’s been hard to get a decent photo. However, yesterday, looking out of the window of my study, I could see him sitting on a nearby roof. I slowly raised my camera to my eye, taking care not to make any sudden movements which might attract his attention, even though I was inside my house, and he was outside on the roof. I zoomed in, focused, and pressed the button. I can’t say I really clearly saw what I was getting a picture of, but when I uploaded it to my computer I realised he had totally clocked me.
He is looking directly at me!
How does one living creature possess that knowledge? How do we know that we are being looked at? I bet you’ve had an experience where you are sitting reading a book or having a coffee and, suddenly, you become aware that someone is looking your way. You look up, catch their eyes, and they either hold their gaze, or, more commonly, quickly look away. I’ve often wondered how that works. What are we picking up? It’s not about casting our eyes around the world and just noticing someone else’s direction of gaze. We seem to be able to detect something, and it also seems this is a talent which is not exclusive to human beings.
This isn’t the first time I’ve had this experience with an animal. Here’s a photo I took one Spring day when the first lambs were in the fields.
Tell me this little one hadn’t clocked me!
Heroes Not Zombies 
I thought this was apropos of our recent owl discussion. Funny, the synchronicity of the timing. 🙂
small footprint, big dreams…
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Oh my gosh!! I’m so sorry! I meant to forward this to my sister, not to reply. Not quite enough coffee yet this morning. 😉
But, since I’ve made the goof, it allows me to tell you that I enjoy your posts. The one yesterday (?) about reflections/reflecting was particularly interesting to me. I’m going to go back and read it again right now because there was a whole lot going on between the lines that I know I did not fully grasp. Your thoughts were completely intriguing. Thank you!
I’ve had a barred owl staring at me from a tree outside. It’s a little unsettling but, also feels like a connection between worlds.
Thank you for your pictures and your words!
🙂 Kathy Meyer
small footprint, big dreams…
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Thank you! I’m so glad that message was for your sister…thought I had totally forgotten something! We’ve had a barn owl pair here most years and even had some adventures with owl chicks falling out of the nest!
This is the first year there’s been a Little Owl though. He’s delightful huh?