Friday, December 4, 2015

The Companionship of Nature


A couple of barred owls, better known as hoot owls, have been hanging around my place again. I hear them after dark and very early in the morning. Buddy tends to go out just before daybreak, settles in on the porch to watch the woods and keep an eye on any critters passing through. Once he sees something he softly grrrrrrs, just to make his presence felt. From my table by the window I keep an eye on him in case any of those critters wander a little too close.

A few mornings ago, I stayed outside for a while watching and listening with him. Two owls started calling from one end of the woods to the other. There had been a light snow during the night ... a nice counterpoint to the morning's greying sky. Together, they created a slightly melancholy mood.

Last night at bedtime, as I turned out the little lamp I keep on my windowsill, I again heard the owls. They continued to call as I fell asleep. I found it peaceful and comforting, as though reassuring me, "All is well." Art, literature, music, friendship - all essential to my life - but nature sustains me like nothing else can. I love knowing there are owls in the woods, calling to each other in the darkness.



Painting by Jeanie Tomanek

32 comments:

  1. Just this morning hiking in the jungle there were two owls fairly close. One does not see that much animal life which is kind of surprising. It was a treat seeing these as it is reading about yours just now! Owls are way too cool.

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  2. I find great solace in nature myself, what a wonderful feeling it must be to fall asleep to the call of the owsl

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    1. It really was ... thank you for commenting, Linda.

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  3. Sometimes I hear them too, as the sound drifts across the river on a breeze. Soft and soothing!

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    1. It certainly is ... and what a peaceful sleep they brought ... Thanks for commenting, Terry.

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  4. This is so lovely, Teresa. You always know how to make me feel good when I read your posts. Blessings to you. :-)

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    1. Thank you, DJan ... I'm so glad to know this ... :)

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  5. Owls are the keepers of the night. They speak softly and move silently. I have always admired them. Their hooting is as soothing to me as dove talk. :)

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    1. Yes, yes, yes ... I love hearing from you ... you have a very soothing soul ... :)

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  6. As it tends to be with you and me, another serendipity moment. I just a moment ago came off of Jeanie Tomacek's website and on to yours. :)
    What comforting sounds those must be. I wish we heard owls hereabouts. I'm sure they are around, but, we are probably too close to traffic to hear them. There is a lovely children's book called Owl Moon. A father and daughter go walking at night to hear the owls. I think you might enjoy it, Teresa.

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    1. I just love our "serendipitous" moments ... very cool.

      I will look for that book. It sounds lovely. There are children's books that are simply works of art.

      Thank you so much for commenting, Penny.

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  7. It is Owl Moon by Jane Yolen. This book is a lovely story AND a work of art. I sometimes take it out and display it on an easel for a bit, especially after a big snow.

    I'm on a roll right now, so forgive me, but, there is a very young photographer who has a website and is also on Facebook if you go there. Her website is phenomenal. She is only about 13, maybe 14, has been photographing wildlife for quite a few years. She has captured owls spectaculary with her lens, as well as fox and many other nature images. http://www.ashleighscullyphotography.com

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    1. I think I've heard of her, thank you for this ...

      And, my lord, thank you so much for sending me her link, I copied and pasted and voila! That girl is astoundingly good ... wow ... I'm just flabbergasted at her ability for her age ... what a sweet face she has too ... it's very nice when young people have a passion at an early age and can stay focused on something so positive ... I will bookmark her site and return often ... so glad you mentioned her ...

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    2. When I said I think I've heard of her, I meant Jane Yolen ... the young photographer is new to me ... beyond wonderful

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    3. You are most welcome. I was so impressed with her photography and her respect for nature, especially for being so young. I thought you might enjoy her work, Teresa.
      I understood who you meant, but, thanks for clarifying. Have a good week.

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    4. And a good week to you also, Penny.

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  8. Enjoyed your post.

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  9. That was lovely ..
    Owls have a certain special place in my memory and this post evokes poignant recollections. Your gratitude for there being owls around is Thoreauvian - he would nod in agreement with you, I am sure.

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    1. Thank you, Ray. I love this little piece of land I'm on ... surrounded by nature ... a thousand poems right outside my door.

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  10. I so rarely see an owl, and even more rarely hear one. On the other hand, the dynamic is one I love and appreciate. With open windows, I hear the night herons, the great blues, the occasional osprey that's been disturbed. During the day, the calling of the ospreys to one another is such a joy -- I work to their music, and am happy. You describe the solace of nature so beautifully. It is what my grandmother would call a balm to the soul.

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    1. What you describe sounds wonderful ...

      Thank you so much for this comment. It means a lot to me ....

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  11. "Nature sustains me like nothing else can."
    Those words resonate deeply with me. I've been meditating on similar thoughts a lot lately and cultivating an appreciation of their deep and profound truth. Thanks for this beautiful post.

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    1. Thank you for reading and commenting, Bill. I so appreciate your response. Knowing you and Cherie are out there bringing healthy food to people's tables is also very comforting to me ... good people doing good things ...

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    1. thank you for responding .... I love your blog, so gentle and kind

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  13. Voices of nature always nurture us in a way so beautiful that vocabulary from any language can never describe it. Nice write. Wishing you Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

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    1. How wonderful to see you again .... Thank you so much for reading and commenting .... Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you!

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