Remember the owl that I've talked about seeing on my walk? Tonight the bird swooped down and was flying head-on toward me. When the bird was three or four feet away from my face, I screamed, and the owl turned and flew up onto a tree branch. On the way back, I saw the owl fly low to the ground a few yards in front of me, apparently after prey. You can believe that I moved past quickly. I searched on the internet to see if the birds attacked humans, and apparently they do, but not deliberately, according to Canada.com. They see something on humans that looks like prey, like a pony tail swinging. "Anything dangly could draw an attack if the owl mistakes it for a smaller bird or a rodent." I didn't have anything dangly, but that owl was coming for me. The solution: wear a cap, which I will certainly do until the season is over. September is the time when most attacks occur.
UPDATE: Image from Wiki
Our owls here in Michigan are a bit more sedate - no chasing humans here! We have screech, Barred, and every once in a while a Barn owl here.
ReplyDeleteSorry you had to endure the "almost" attack of such a bird. Hope you're recovering from that encounter!
These birds are beautiful to watch in flight during the evening hours here (in the fall mostly).
Owls are a blessing.
ReplyDeletewhat a fabulous pic!
ReplyDeleteWhen I was a very small child, I remember running across a meadow at twilight towards my parents as we walked the dog. A dark shadow swooped low and then away again, terrifying my mom, but entrancing me. It was a great horned owl, taking a closer look. A fascinating experience!
Meanwhile I'm far more terrified by the savage mockingbird that swoops to attack people on the walkway near my work building; it insists on nesting low in a tree by the walk so it is continually disturbed. I don't think mockers are nearly as smart as owls.
I once saw a misguided and misplaced snowy owl on a light pole in Northern California. But living as I do in the Big City now, I don't see them much any more.
In Native American spirituality, Owl is a watcher, an overseer, and a protector. Maybe he is just trying to get your attention so you accept he has his eye on you!
ReplyDeleteThink of Athena and her owl.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful photo, Mimi!
ReplyDeleteFirst off, I didn't take the picture. I added an update to show that it's from Wiki.
ReplyDeleteI have enjoyed the owl, and I know the bird watches me, because it stared me down once when it was perched on top of a light pole.
Owls are a blessing, but the encounter last night was a bit too close for my comfort. I must have frightened the owl with my scream, so perhaps we can live peaceably now with more distance between us. I love seeing the owl, just not that close.
Reminded me of the article about the owls near Bangor that swoop down during nesting time. I would have screamed too. I do hope you and the owl have reached an accommodation. Owl doesn't swoop and you won't scream.
ReplyDeleteJust make sure Grandpere never goes for walks in the alltogether -- got to watch out for dangly things.
ReplyDeleteAre you walking at dusk or after dark? Perhaps he finds your hair attractive.
ReplyDeleteI guess a cap would be the answer. Then all you would lose would be the cap.
Susankay, I laughed out loud when I read your comment, and GP asked what was so funny. I read him the comment, and he just shook his head. He thinks that we are all nuts. I would not walk with him with the dangly bits showing. Can you imagine!
ReplyDeleteI mostly walk after dark, and I believe it is my hair that the bird thinks might be a meal.
Mimi,
ReplyDeleteI must admit I was thinking the same thing. It must be our similar name. I did LOL.
I'm actually trying not to imagine the dangly bits Mimi, especially in hot weather!!
ReplyDeleteYou naughty girls! I admit that when I used the quote with "anything dangly", I expected comments like these. I know y'all all too well.
ReplyDeleteAre you trying to give me nightmares? When I was a little girl a pigeon flew at me, catching it's claws in my hair and ever since I've been frightened of birds as is my mam - actually it probably didn't help my fear when, once again, when I was small, a bird flew into the house and my mam (in terror) ran out, shutting me inside with the bird.
ReplyDeletePetty, I am so sorry. I didn't intend to give you nightmares.
ReplyDeleteI'm laughing (but I shouldn't be!) that your mam locked you in the house with the bird. Mea culpa!
My son has another theory. He says that owls sometimes fly into light. I was near a street light, and maybe my glasses reflected the light, and that's where the owl was headed - into my face.
ReplyDeleteOr maybe it was the light of your aura. Maybe birds see things we don't.
ReplyDeleteLindy, do you think so? It's possible they see things we don't. Dogs hear sounds that we don't hear.
ReplyDeleteLast night, my walk was uneventful. I wore my cap, and when I reached the owl's territory, I removed my glasses. However, the owl, or another owl, was on another part of the street. Anyway, no close encounters.