How many folks walk around with an upward gaze? Straight ahead with a slight downward tilt seems like the best way to avoid tripping and stay safe. Walking paths are expected to be free of twigs and branches, so much of the time we can get away with looking downward (at our phones) while walking. But this week in the arboretum, we received a nice reminder to look up.
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| This barred owl (Strix varia) was spotted in the middle of the arboretum. First seen perched on the railing of the long white wooden bridge that runs between the Student Union Building and Mickle Hall. Presumably it was hunting a critter scurrying around in the drainage channel. Upon being approached, the barred owl flew upward into this nearby pecan tree. Professor Amy Hammond snapped this photo. |
Keeping our eyes to the ground (or to the phone) results in us failing to appreciate the intrigues occuring directly above us. How many birds of prey did you pass under today? Barred owls aren't seen every day in the arboretum, but neither are they uncommon. Who-who knows how common they are? Let's look up more often and try to get another owl photo.
