Empty Branches

I'm pretty sure the owls see us coming. They spot our car and then quietly make their way to the far side of whatever grove we plan to scout and simply lift their wings and take off. Maybe if we looked fast enough before we get out of the car we could spot their rear ends heading out. Once again, lots of evidence-pellets and whitewash-but no owls. We even laid down on the duff of the grove floor next to the farm house at Howell Territorial Park on Sauvie Island and stared up into the swaying limbs for a good long time. Lots of sunshine, a brisk fresh breeze, and old oak leaves to scrunch through all added to the otherwise joyful experience of this rare and bright February day. And then the drive back around the island in the long shadows of late afternoon with the empty fields and winter trees basking in the last rays of the almost warm sun made the whole trip so worthwhile.