Monday, October 13, 2008

A Hoot

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As I mentioned yesterday, the dogs attending the blessing of the animals at Christ Church Cathedral were generally well behaved. One other member of the congregation, though, soon had all it could stand. This beautiful owl sat silently on its perch for some time but then decided it had had enough. I think I've heard owls hoot in the countryside but this one had a screech. The sound was remarkable, always holding the same pitch and volume, threatening to shatter the stained glass windows until the owner took it outside. Amen.

WHAT'S AT THE END OF THE TRAIL TODAY: a cozy corporate hotel at Dallas-Ft. Worth International Airport.

TOMORROW: and now for something completely different.

11 comments:

Virginia said...

I think I have enjoyed the expression on the priest's face as much as the animals. What a kind face he has.Bon voyage mes amis. Have a safe trip and keep in touch for pete's sake!

Kate said...

The owl is spectacular. I forgot about this tradition...darn. I must have missed it!!

Hilda said...

Aww, the poor thing must have found everything so confusing. He's gorgeous! And the priest looks enamored of him too.

Have a safe and wonderful trip!

Anonymous said...

What a great story and striking picture. Any time for a blessing before he was ushered out? LOL

PJ said...

'K, I stand corrected. I've coordinated these kinds of services but never had an owl show up. There's always that one reprobate.
I gather you're going to Japan? Have fun for all of us, photograph everything, and then give us your unique perspective.

Knoxville Girl said...

What a beautiful creature, but not meant to be indoors.
Have a spectacular trip.

Ming the Merciless said...

I would screech too if someone tied my feet together and won't let me move for a long period of time.

That said, lovely photo!!

Unknown said...

Beautiful owl! Wow!

valeria said...

We don't have this tradition of blessing the animals, or maybe, they do it but only with farm animals.
Lovely shots, that dog looks familiar to me, such a sweet glance....

Danial Bigham said...

This hoot is beautiful.

Adele said...

I'm the one with the owl, Barn Owl to be exact, and would like to explain what went on at the blessing. This owl is one of the outreach program birds from TreeHouse Wildlife Center in Brighton, Illinois. She suffers from metabolic bone disease and was kicked out of her nest at a very young age. She cannot fly well and therefore cannot be released to the wild. She has been doing programs in schools and organizations for many, many years. All the unreleasable birds in our program, apart from being several different species, also have different personalities. The staff at TreeHouse loves to take the Barn Owl out for programs, but I do not because she's so vocal. Many people don't mind it, and in fact when I brought a different owl to the 09 blessing, several people were disappointed that I didn't bring the Barn Owl back. However I love to take our Great horned Owl out to programs and non of the other staff does. The vocals are not necessarily a sign of anything bad, and although the wild is the perfect place for a bird like this, if it can't happen, they get good care at TreeHouse, and especially help kids, understand more about them. P.S. The owl did receive a blessing, and I needed one after the event!