Yesterday, I had one of those moments that help me get through it. With the snow starting to come down and the thought of my first 2+ hour commute home, I left work a little early (around 3) and decided to head to Lebanon Hills and get a run in before it got any worse or my motivation went away. The trails had 1-3 inches of snow and the wind was brisk but it felt good to get out, I always feel good when I get outside, it's just getting out that I struggle with.
About 2 miles into the run, I was on a section of trail between the maintenance road and the christian camp road running the single track when I looked down at one of the lakes and instead a 4 to 5 foot high tree stump caught my attention. It had moved, I immediately stopped and looked hard at it. Was I imagining it as the snow was right in my face and then it moved again. Actually the stump didn't move but the owl sitting on it did. It turned it's head and stared at me, we were about 10-15 feet apart. It was covered lightly in snow and it was huge (about a foot and a half to two feet tall). It blinked it's eyes at me, looked down and seemed to not care the least about me. I just stood there and stared at it and thought to myself "way cool". As I turned and started to take off, it was still not concerned about me so I simply told it to have a good day. Unfortunately, I didn't have a camera, (I have to start carrying one for moments like this).
After I got home, I looked up owls and I am 99% sure it was a "Great Horned Owl", here is a picture of one from wikipedia.
In Lebanon Hills, I have seen owls before but never so close to me. I like to think that without the snow, I wouldn't have had the experience, a great reminder to appreciate all of the seasons and yet another reminder of why I run trails.
3 comments:
Very cool sighting! Wonder if it was paying attention to critters under the snow (looking for dinner)?
On my run tonight along the Lakewalk, with Lake Superior's waves crashing on the shoreline, I was thinking much the same thing. Getting out the door is the hardest part, and Minnesota winters offer up lots of reasons to stay indoors (the wind was howling). But once out, so worth it! Wednesday nights I meet up with a few hardy souls - and that expectation gets me there even when i am tired and hungry. After the first half mile or so I am even okay with the idea of being left behind if that nights group is speedy.
Gotta find ways to make winters fun. Running, skiing, spying owls.... whatever it takes!
Now I suggest getting a small camera to carry. At first, I thought you took the photo until I read about it... Hope all is well and health is with you!
You need to rethink your opinion of winter... because you are a snowshoeing (say it with your best Molly Shannon impersonation now) "Superstar!" :)
Post a Comment