Thank you Allegra! Yesterday, I was basically a wreck all day about her chances when she didn't move for hours and seemed to droop and droop, but I am happy to report that the owl box is now empty so it looks like she managed to successfully fledge. Thank Gaia. I feel like a proud grandmother! :D <3 <3
I buy bird feed from Wild Birds Unlimited in SF, and I get their newsletter where they linked to this webcam so I started watching a few months ago and became smitten. This Barred Owl Box is on the property of Wild Birds Unlimited's CEO and/but they work in conjunction with the Cornell Labs Bird Academy, so I'm not sure where it is located. Here's the link to the youtube channel--but all that is there now is an empty box: https://www.youtube.com/live/NwUMHCQb_f8?si=BpraQvMnStuJhA4k
Sarah, thank you for sharing your heart-full relationship with these beautiful birds. Webcams have been such a gift, helping so many people to get personal with the beings who share the Earth with us. And witness the drama! ❤️
Thank you back Marianne! And the intimacy of the webcam is a powerful thing. I worried at first that I was impinging on their privacy but then I got so sucked into their lives that I kind of let that go. And then, honestly, I feel that all of us humans watching these owlets grow from afar and rooting for them to make it had to have been a positive energetic influence!
And thank you for mentioning that you felt the format change helped my essay--it's so gratifying to have my decision to change my form in order to help myself express my content be recognized by a fellow writer as working! <3 <3 <3
I took a class recently with Holly Starley (maybe you know her?) and it was all about experimenting with different forms—something I have zero experience with. So I was excited to see what you did with this! I don't even know what you'd call it but to me it's part essay, part poem, part list, part timeline—I love it!
Yes Claudia! The whole sacred, weird, and miraculous being-alive-on-planet-earth THING is so powerful. Becoming so invested in their lives gave me that same reaction as even a personal tragedy or blessing can do in our human lives--helping me to remember how silly all my petty insecurities or personal angst--we get to be alive on the physical plane on a beautiful planet--isn't it weird and wonderful!
Thank you back Nancy. It's been an especially emotional last few days--something I didn't realize would happen back in February or March when I started watching... <3 <3 <3
thank you Nancy. Last night, there were like 167 people "watching" as she went through the same process during the entire next day that I described in my post here ...I actually wept at one point when things looked super touch and go. I was also wondering if all that love pouring out of us would help her take that next step...
Such a beautiful story, so beautifully written.
Thank you Nancy!
Oh my god, I am so worried about that second owlet! This piece was magnetic.... as the webcam is. I hope that owlet managed to find her wings.
Thank you Allegra! Yesterday, I was basically a wreck all day about her chances when she didn't move for hours and seemed to droop and droop, but I am happy to report that the owl box is now empty so it looks like she managed to successfully fledge. Thank Gaia. I feel like a proud grandmother! :D <3 <3
I'll bet you do! That's good news. Now I care, because of what you wrote.
I love that.
BTW where is this barred owl webcam? Is it local?
I buy bird feed from Wild Birds Unlimited in SF, and I get their newsletter where they linked to this webcam so I started watching a few months ago and became smitten. This Barred Owl Box is on the property of Wild Birds Unlimited's CEO and/but they work in conjunction with the Cornell Labs Bird Academy, so I'm not sure where it is located. Here's the link to the youtube channel--but all that is there now is an empty box: https://www.youtube.com/live/NwUMHCQb_f8?si=BpraQvMnStuJhA4k
Oh Sarah.. this one brings tears… watching nature at work is so difficult. Bless you for the heart scrolled across its fabulous being.
Oh, thank you Teyani. I feel blessed for being able to glimpse their lives like this. Technology has its upsides! <3
Sarah, thank you for sharing your heart-full relationship with these beautiful birds. Webcams have been such a gift, helping so many people to get personal with the beings who share the Earth with us. And witness the drama! ❤️
Thank you back Marianne! And the intimacy of the webcam is a powerful thing. I worried at first that I was impinging on their privacy but then I got so sucked into their lives that I kind of let that go. And then, honestly, I feel that all of us humans watching these owlets grow from afar and rooting for them to make it had to have been a positive energetic influence!
Thank you for sharing - this is just beautiful!
Aw Judy--thank you thank you!
Sarah, this is so beautiful, I was totally caught up in the drama! Love how the format adds to the intimacy and emotional power.
Thank you Tina!
And thank you for mentioning that you felt the format change helped my essay--it's so gratifying to have my decision to change my form in order to help myself express my content be recognized by a fellow writer as working! <3 <3 <3
I took a class recently with Holly Starley (maybe you know her?) and it was all about experimenting with different forms—something I have zero experience with. So I was excited to see what you did with this! I don't even know what you'd call it but to me it's part essay, part poem, part list, part timeline—I love it!
Haha, yes, I'm not sure what to call it either, I just knew I needed to do it differently--but I love your description!!
...may humanity never lose it's compassion, it is our portal to love
I love that Phyl--thank you!
What a simply beautiful post...I am longing to hear what comes next! xoxo
Nature! The ultimate drama plays out. I love it- so tender and heart wrenching!
Yes Claudia! The whole sacred, weird, and miraculous being-alive-on-planet-earth THING is so powerful. Becoming so invested in their lives gave me that same reaction as even a personal tragedy or blessing can do in our human lives--helping me to remember how silly all my petty insecurities or personal angst--we get to be alive on the physical plane on a beautiful planet--isn't it weird and wonderful!
Words so tenderly rendered, that we the reader may witness the wonder as if we were there. Thank you for your talent, Sarah.
Oh, thank you Lissa--and thank you back for being such an open-hearted reader.
I absolutely loved this post. So sweet and so well written. It kept me so involved, just as you were, Sarah.
Thank you Karen--I love hearing that!!
Just beautiful, Sarah. I know it is not easy being out in the world with a heart so tender💕
Oh, thank you Bernie. <3 <3 <3
Sarah, what a touching essay! Your beautiful writing made the unfolding story that much more emotional and compelling!
Thank you Laura!!
Beautiful Sarah. Just beautiful. I was rapt the whole time.
And you totally nailed the title of the piece :)
Thank you James...and titles are hard, so thank you for that too!
Oh my heart ❤️, this is beautiful. Thank you for sharing your witnessing.
Thank you back Nancy. It's been an especially emotional last few days--something I didn't realize would happen back in February or March when I started watching... <3 <3 <3
Fledging. It's a big moment. Some get to the edge and fly, for others it can be harder. You have a good heart Sarah.
thank you Nancy. Last night, there were like 167 people "watching" as she went through the same process during the entire next day that I described in my post here ...I actually wept at one point when things looked super touch and go. I was also wondering if all that love pouring out of us would help her take that next step...
Sounds like a yes, love pouring working its magic ✨️
The intrigue! The supsense! The agony of not knowing! God, life is exhausting and beautiful.
Yes--And the emotional investment! Whew.