Thank you! I interrupted my reading to identify the owl that I hear outside on many nights. I had not realized just how many species of owls there are, and more surprising, how so very different they all sound! - I am not sure which one is talking outside - things get confusing when you listen to so many bird calls - maybe I'll find out tonight.
As for the dead animal smell. I fully expected Mark to point out a plant. My father grew a plant that, when in flower, would seriously stink like a decaying animal to attract specific pollinators. (A quick search reveals this: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carrion_flower.) - Growing this plant was my father's (very effective) idea of a practical joke.
OMG those flowers smell atrocious!! Your father sure had an odd sense of humor - lol
I sure wish the smell had come from a plant. Then we could have been done with it once we walked past. Unfortunately Ernie continued to torture us throughout the walk. I think his glee at our suffering bothered me even more than the smell.
As for the owls, they amaze me. I actually think that one of my Barred owl friends has been communicating with a hawk lately. The two calls are dramatically different, but they go back and forth like two testy friends having an argument.
P.S. Still trying to correct my math error. There is a glitch in the Substack backend.
Jena this story is a masterpiece! Your starting quote “If you love it enough, anything will talk to you,” by the great GWC really got me. It took me a few years but after continuing to talk to my feral kitty Floofles, she finally started talking back. Apparently cats only talk to humans not to each other? Kittens meow so their mommies hear them but otherwise they just meow to humans? Anyway, now Floofles and I have entire very emphatic conversations in meowtalk. She's adorable.
Here's one of the videos of our owls, wait until the end for the hoot!
Your kitty talks to you? How sweet is that? Mine only complain when I don’t do something they perceive to be essential, like clean their litter box immediately. I’d love to hear a recording of one of your chats with Floofles.
Well, Floofles is completely feral and won't come near me. But she comes (almost) every day for her meal, and we literally have a big back and forth. I'm sure she's complaining that it's crazy out there in the canyons and why do I have to be there when I feed her or something. I can't figure her out. But it's a big conversation. Now she's been a no-show for a whole week and I'm worried sick, although I know other neighbors care for her too. The other feral kitty, Sneaky, still doesn't talk back. It took Floofles about three years to learn, she's been chatty for the four years since. Sneaky has been coming to eat for about two years. We shall see if he ever starts meowing. Please send good thoughts for Floofles to return.
Ohhhhh please write more about your ferals. I volunteered with a trap, neuter, and release program on Maui where there is a HUGE feral cat problem. I always wanted to stay and just watch and listen, but apparently that was a no no. They fascinate me. Sending love and light to Floofles. It is an honor when a wild creature chooses to spend time and speak with you IMHO of course :-)
I do TNR here, that's why Floofles has her clipped ear. The local place does it for free. We have a condo right on the Kaanapali beach where you volunteered! That lovely lady is still out there feeding and TNRing the kitties. I have tons of photos of them. We're heading back next week for our annual month of whale watching.
Ohhhhhh....I'm so jealous. From what my friends are telling me you will find that side of Maui much changed by the fire and all the political haggling that has followed. I hope it has not affected the feral cat programs there. It's such important work.
The whales will be magical as always. Can you please say hello for me? I need to continue chronicling my whale and dolphin adventures on Substack. I got a little sidetracked by the owls - lol.
P.S. Please take photos and remember all the good stuff.
It's been quite an ordeal. I'm anxious to see Lahaina, I know I'll be crying a lot. It looks like the banyan tree is blossoming, so thank god for that. I've heard the kitties were mostly unaffected in our part of the west coast.
The whales will probably be amazing again.
After January we're putting our place in the housing program for those who lost their homes, the state has an incentive program that makes it pretty much crazy not to do it. We're happy to do it as we've all been pooling resources to help provide housing to our immediate neighbors anyway.
It's going to be interesting, we don't even know if Lahaina will even be rebuilt. 💔
Thank you so much Lorraine. I know it’s long but the piece kept wanting to say more. I’m sure you’ve experienced that! And the owl! Glorious (those eyes). I think it was a great horned owl and she was definitely talking to you!
It was just the right length. I read every word, well done! It's magical and I'm in awe of your owl adventures! May I ask (again) what area you live in? Do you really think my owls are great horned? They do have those adorable cat ears. I think she's saying "Hello, my friend!"
Thank you. The encouragement from another writer is much appreciated.
I live in Cary, NC which is about 20 minutes outside Raleigh. I can walk to the nature preserve from my apartment and of course the owls wander over into my neck of the woods all the time. You would love the preserve (Hemlock Bluffs: https://www.hemlockbluffs.org/index.html). It’s like stepping out of time. The busy hustle and bustle of the city just falls away.
As for your owl friend, she could be a long-eared owl too. They look a lot like Great Horned owls (especially at night). I’ve never heard one so I can’t compare to the Great Horned. That hoot you shared just sounded like a Great Horned owl.
P.S. I just looked up the Long Earred hoot (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KZ8wRp4irE4) so maybe compare. The Great Horned owl sounds deeper and the hoot is broken into segments, if that makes sense.
One fascinating aside, the Audubon description of Long Earred owls says they are one of the few species that doesn’t need sight to hunt. Talk about keen hearing!
Oh NC, as an alternative to a summer home in ID and FL we've been looking elsewhere. That sounds wonderful!
That video you sent of the Long Earred Hoot Owl looks and sounds about right.
Majestic creatures all.
P.S. That description in your story of Audubon's practice of taxidermy killing beautiful innocent critters is heart wrenching. I'm with you, humans were so ignorant, and not much better these days.
There are places in NC that would absolutely knock your socks off. I don’t like the politics here, but the nature is incredible!
If I could I would move up to Asheville (western part of the state in the Appalachians). My father’s family is from there (another long story) and the area is stunning. Holler if you want to talk about it. You could even stay in my great grandfather’s former home (Cornacia), which has been turned into a B & B, while you looked around. The coast is also lovely but rising seas and increasing storms have made living there problematic. Look into Wilmington if you are interested in that part of the state.
And as for Audubon, I really consider his behavior a crime. Human beings are so self-centered, superior, and cruel. Another of my pet peeves are the Amish who work horses nearly to death and then send them to slaughter. Horses are my spirit animals and the callousness of the Amish makes me sick. I support a couple of rescues that take those horses in and rehabilitate them. If I ever have the land and the means I would love to give a couple of them a home. To be continued!
Oh that's great to know about NC. We have been also looking at Hilton Head but bad politics there too. Thank you for this really helpful feedback.
Re Audubon, and the Amish, heartbreaking. I'm almost vegetarian and would be completely vegan if not for hubby lifestyle. All the cruelty behind the meat trade and work animals just so people can over indulge is beyond inhumane. Thank you for all your wisdom.
I try to imitate them after saying “you’re beautiful”, and they sing a song I think about morning joy. Seeing them eat seeds and singing for their breaks, they sing of tummies feeling good I surmise!
Thank you. Talking with animals, in a real or imagined manner, is a precious activity. Owl talk reverberates in one’s chest and mind.
I’ve had full conversations with Mourning Doves and owls. The experiences always ground me firmly in the present tense. I understand why you seek out these conversations.
Oh yes...the reverberations. That's the word. I always feels as if my entire resonance changes when I am with owls. I've never spoken to a mourning dove, but love their calls and the way I feel around them. I like to just sit and listen for as long as they will stay. Thank you for reading along Jeanne. I look forward to reading more about your encounters too.
“Hoo, Hoo, Hoo, HooHoooo!” Then from, kinda, but not quite, far away - London
Haaappppyy Christmas, Jena Ball 🌝🙏🏻🌞☃️🫂🎄🎅❄️🎄🧘🏻♀️🌌
Same to you dear Mahesh!
Thank you! I interrupted my reading to identify the owl that I hear outside on many nights. I had not realized just how many species of owls there are, and more surprising, how so very different they all sound! - I am not sure which one is talking outside - things get confusing when you listen to so many bird calls - maybe I'll find out tonight.
As for the dead animal smell. I fully expected Mark to point out a plant. My father grew a plant that, when in flower, would seriously stink like a decaying animal to attract specific pollinators. (A quick search reveals this: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carrion_flower.) - Growing this plant was my father's (very effective) idea of a practical joke.
OMG those flowers smell atrocious!! Your father sure had an odd sense of humor - lol
I sure wish the smell had come from a plant. Then we could have been done with it once we walked past. Unfortunately Ernie continued to torture us throughout the walk. I think his glee at our suffering bothered me even more than the smell.
As for the owls, they amaze me. I actually think that one of my Barred owl friends has been communicating with a hawk lately. The two calls are dramatically different, but they go back and forth like two testy friends having an argument.
P.S. Still trying to correct my math error. There is a glitch in the Substack backend.
Jena this story is a masterpiece! Your starting quote “If you love it enough, anything will talk to you,” by the great GWC really got me. It took me a few years but after continuing to talk to my feral kitty Floofles, she finally started talking back. Apparently cats only talk to humans not to each other? Kittens meow so their mommies hear them but otherwise they just meow to humans? Anyway, now Floofles and I have entire very emphatic conversations in meowtalk. She's adorable.
Here's one of the videos of our owls, wait until the end for the hoot!
https://www.reddit.com/r/OwlsWithCatHeads/comments/n2zadn/owl_or_cat/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3
Your kitty talks to you? How sweet is that? Mine only complain when I don’t do something they perceive to be essential, like clean their litter box immediately. I’d love to hear a recording of one of your chats with Floofles.
Well, Floofles is completely feral and won't come near me. But she comes (almost) every day for her meal, and we literally have a big back and forth. I'm sure she's complaining that it's crazy out there in the canyons and why do I have to be there when I feed her or something. I can't figure her out. But it's a big conversation. Now she's been a no-show for a whole week and I'm worried sick, although I know other neighbors care for her too. The other feral kitty, Sneaky, still doesn't talk back. It took Floofles about three years to learn, she's been chatty for the four years since. Sneaky has been coming to eat for about two years. We shall see if he ever starts meowing. Please send good thoughts for Floofles to return.
Ohhhhh please write more about your ferals. I volunteered with a trap, neuter, and release program on Maui where there is a HUGE feral cat problem. I always wanted to stay and just watch and listen, but apparently that was a no no. They fascinate me. Sending love and light to Floofles. It is an honor when a wild creature chooses to spend time and speak with you IMHO of course :-)
I do TNR here, that's why Floofles has her clipped ear. The local place does it for free. We have a condo right on the Kaanapali beach where you volunteered! That lovely lady is still out there feeding and TNRing the kitties. I have tons of photos of them. We're heading back next week for our annual month of whale watching.
Ohhhhhh....I'm so jealous. From what my friends are telling me you will find that side of Maui much changed by the fire and all the political haggling that has followed. I hope it has not affected the feral cat programs there. It's such important work.
The whales will be magical as always. Can you please say hello for me? I need to continue chronicling my whale and dolphin adventures on Substack. I got a little sidetracked by the owls - lol.
P.S. Please take photos and remember all the good stuff.
It's been quite an ordeal. I'm anxious to see Lahaina, I know I'll be crying a lot. It looks like the banyan tree is blossoming, so thank god for that. I've heard the kitties were mostly unaffected in our part of the west coast.
The whales will probably be amazing again.
After January we're putting our place in the housing program for those who lost their homes, the state has an incentive program that makes it pretty much crazy not to do it. We're happy to do it as we've all been pooling resources to help provide housing to our immediate neighbors anyway.
It's going to be interesting, we don't even know if Lahaina will even be rebuilt. 💔
Thank you so much Lorraine. I know it’s long but the piece kept wanting to say more. I’m sure you’ve experienced that! And the owl! Glorious (those eyes). I think it was a great horned owl and she was definitely talking to you!
So I will ask you, what did she say?
It was just the right length. I read every word, well done! It's magical and I'm in awe of your owl adventures! May I ask (again) what area you live in? Do you really think my owls are great horned? They do have those adorable cat ears. I think she's saying "Hello, my friend!"
Thank you. The encouragement from another writer is much appreciated.
I live in Cary, NC which is about 20 minutes outside Raleigh. I can walk to the nature preserve from my apartment and of course the owls wander over into my neck of the woods all the time. You would love the preserve (Hemlock Bluffs: https://www.hemlockbluffs.org/index.html). It’s like stepping out of time. The busy hustle and bustle of the city just falls away.
As for your owl friend, she could be a long-eared owl too. They look a lot like Great Horned owls (especially at night). I’ve never heard one so I can’t compare to the Great Horned. That hoot you shared just sounded like a Great Horned owl.
P.S. I just looked up the Long Earred hoot (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KZ8wRp4irE4) so maybe compare. The Great Horned owl sounds deeper and the hoot is broken into segments, if that makes sense.
One fascinating aside, the Audubon description of Long Earred owls says they are one of the few species that doesn’t need sight to hunt. Talk about keen hearing!
Oh NC, as an alternative to a summer home in ID and FL we've been looking elsewhere. That sounds wonderful!
That video you sent of the Long Earred Hoot Owl looks and sounds about right.
Majestic creatures all.
P.S. That description in your story of Audubon's practice of taxidermy killing beautiful innocent critters is heart wrenching. I'm with you, humans were so ignorant, and not much better these days.
There are places in NC that would absolutely knock your socks off. I don’t like the politics here, but the nature is incredible!
If I could I would move up to Asheville (western part of the state in the Appalachians). My father’s family is from there (another long story) and the area is stunning. Holler if you want to talk about it. You could even stay in my great grandfather’s former home (Cornacia), which has been turned into a B & B, while you looked around. The coast is also lovely but rising seas and increasing storms have made living there problematic. Look into Wilmington if you are interested in that part of the state.
And as for Audubon, I really consider his behavior a crime. Human beings are so self-centered, superior, and cruel. Another of my pet peeves are the Amish who work horses nearly to death and then send them to slaughter. Horses are my spirit animals and the callousness of the Amish makes me sick. I support a couple of rescues that take those horses in and rehabilitate them. If I ever have the land and the means I would love to give a couple of them a home. To be continued!
Oh that's great to know about NC. We have been also looking at Hilton Head but bad politics there too. Thank you for this really helpful feedback.
Re Audubon, and the Amish, heartbreaking. I'm almost vegetarian and would be completely vegan if not for hubby lifestyle. All the cruelty behind the meat trade and work animals just so people can over indulge is beyond inhumane. Thank you for all your wisdom.
Amazing. Singing to birds is my specialty, but I’ve love owl chats!
That's amazing Diane! I hoot to ours too. Sometimes they reply. But they chat to each other quite a bit.
I have better luck with sparrows!
Hah! I love it. What do they say to you, Diane?
I try to imitate them after saying “you’re beautiful”, and they sing a song I think about morning joy. Seeing them eat seeds and singing for their breaks, they sing of tummies feeling good I surmise!
Wonderful, Diane.
That's really cool. I talk to our hummingbirds sucking in my tongue making that little squiggly sound. Sometimes I think they reply😆
Oh cool. I’ve never tried that.
Oh...you sing to them? That's wonderful.
I KNOW you'd love an owl chat. Your heart would sing :-)
Thank you. Talking with animals, in a real or imagined manner, is a precious activity. Owl talk reverberates in one’s chest and mind.
I’ve had full conversations with Mourning Doves and owls. The experiences always ground me firmly in the present tense. I understand why you seek out these conversations.
Oh yes...the reverberations. That's the word. I always feels as if my entire resonance changes when I am with owls. I've never spoken to a mourning dove, but love their calls and the way I feel around them. I like to just sit and listen for as long as they will stay. Thank you for reading along Jeanne. I look forward to reading more about your encounters too.