Great Horned Owl Month

It’s the first full moon of 2021! 

Last year, I illustrated and wrote about the full moons as they are known by their traditional names i.e. Wolf Moon, Harvest Moon, etc. 

This year, I am ascribing bird names to the moons choosing birds that relate to each month at Spring Bird.  

For instance, we experience Great Horned Owls quite a lot this time of year. So, this I chose this first moon to be the Great Horned Owl Moon. It’s during this time of year that the Great Horned Owls are having their babies, feeding them, and preparing them for their leaving the nest. 

With regards to the illustration, I drew an adult owl nuzzling a juvenile. I drew it based on a photo of an adult bringing some prey (something hairy) to the juvenile. Utilizing artistic license I edited that part out!

Great Horned Owls are spectacular raptors. They sing every evening to us, and I’ve seen several this season perched above me in giant oak trees. They have a way of making me feel small and inconsequential as they look down at me as a mere distraction. I appreciate their keeping our mouse and rodent population under control, and I forgive them for taking our last drake a couple weeks ago. 

It is an honor to live among these birds, and each time I see them, it feels like a gift. Several of our guests to Spring Bird Cottage have also had the pleasure of witnessing owls during their stay here. I’m delighted that they have had encounters. It’s a powerful experience, indeed!

Happy Great Horned Owl Moon!!!