A Great Gray Owl has been in my backyard all afternoon today. It appears in rather bad shape--its eyes look small and its feathers seem out of sorts on one shoulder, but it's flying fine. When it perched in a nearby tree, I couldn't help myself--I ran in and defrosted one of the frozen mice I keep on hand for my education Screech Owl, and brought it out. I dragged the mouse with my kitchen tongs, allowing its tail to wiggle a bit, and then tossed it to the owl, who instantly dropped down and devoured it. What an incredible Christmas gift for me!!
Laura Erickson Duluth, MN Producer, "For the Birds" radio program <http://www.lauraerickson.com/> There is symbolic as well as actual beauty in the migration of birds. There is something infinitely healing in the repeated refrains of nature--the assurance that dawn comes after night, and spring after the winter. --Rachel Carson
