#AtoZChallenge: Owls

Owl from a bird rescue at the Scottish Festival in 2012, Columbus, Ind. Photo © Diane Weidenbenner

I’m not quite sure how it happened but for some reason, I got it in my head that my friend liked owls. Collected owls. Okay, loved owls!

We were at a country store and she bought a card with a picture of a barn owl. She also has a solar-powered owl on the dash of her car.

Are you seeing a theme here? I was.

We attended a Scottish Festival in Columbus, Ind., last year and it was wonderful. We got to see sheepdogs herd sheep with just the swell of a whistle! We had the opportunity to attend a scotch tasting event. And, we heard bagpipes and got to visit the wildlife rescue, to see owls, turkey vultures and the like up close. This beautiful owl creature didn’t mind being photographed – isn’t he beautiful?!

Turkey vultures are common visitors in our backyard in Terre Haute, Ind. They are amazing creatures if you can get past their pre-historic masks! Photo © Diane Weidenbenner

This is one such festival that I’ve learned about, after moving to Indiana. There are also festivals such as the Maple Syrup Festival in January/February, Strassenfest in the spring or fall (depending on whether it’s in Terre Haute or Jasper, Ind.) and many others. I’ve come to appreciate festivals because they are an excuse to visit  new towns, experience new things and enjoy the beautiful nature that Indiana has to offer.

Recently, my friend told me that she likes owls but not any more or less than she likes other wildlife (which is a lot). She doesn’t have a special affinity for owls. Good thing I found out before making a fool of myself, giving her owl gifts at Christmas and birthday. How can you go wrong, though, by gifting someone with a picture or other type of depictment of such a beautiful and wise animal?