One of the most rewarding nature activities I have done, and do regularly, is calling owls. I would not recommend this to just anyone. You really need to have some experience with owls, birds of prey and wildlife before attempting this.
I use to go to work for the Forest Service and was an Interpretive Specialist and Environmental Education Instructor. I wrote and delivered various programs for individuals ages 3 to 103. One program I did often was Nature at Night and everyone seemed to really enjoy it.
On part of the program was hiking 5 miles on a trail at 10pm. The end of the trail was in a very secluded area near a wilderness area. I would have everyone stand back away from the area I was in and I would call owls. I had great success with Barred Owls and Great Horned Owls. After just a few calls, one would answer in a distance. Another call would prove it to be closer. Several times I have actually had the owl swoop down from the night sky right between me and the individuals on the hike. It was an amazing experience HOWEVER….
If you do try this activity, study the owl you plan to call, listen to recordings of its call and copy that over and over until you get as close to the call as possible. When beginning this, only call the owl until it answers once or twice, then leave the area. It is not advised, without experience, to call the owl to where you are standing. I know of an Interpretive Specialist in North Carolina that got a nice gash in his head from calling the owl to him without protection on his head. I always wore a hard hat when calling the owls, and even then had them hit the hat on two occasions. Never make other animal sounds when doing this. Often when we try to mock other animals, our sounds end up coming out like a very injured animal. This will draw attention from those who prey on such animals and you can find yourself being attacked like and “injured rabbit”.
Without much experience in this field, I would suggest doing this activity with a professional OR merely calling the owl once or twice to get the pleasure of hearing a return call. At this point, do not take the encounter further. There will be plenty of pleasure in your heart by simply getting that one response call, a verbal connection, from these beautiful birds.
*in addition, NEVER provide food for wild animals, no matter how tempting it may be. What you will be doing is killing that animal. Leaving food for animals in the wild is no different than slicing their throats with your bare hands. They come to rely on this food and will expect all humans to provide it, eventually attacking humans for food because they will associate humans with food. When this occurs, they are often killed…..due to our human stupidity.
Share This
A list for the next study session is ready and can be picked up, emailed or faxed to if you call Cyndi after May 2, 2007
Share This
Can you believe April is gone? Here are events that have been scheduled for May. There will be more added as time goes by, so check back regularly.
May 1st: Beltaine at Cyndi’s House, beginning at 5pm until whenever!
May 7th: Study Session at Cyndi’s (food provided) at 5:30pm. Update on your DP progress, study a list of Gods/Goddesses (handout provided prior to meeting) and be prepared to discuss them.
May 13th: Mother’s Day…Cookout at Cyndi’s. Call Cyndi or Shannon to get a list of items needed.
May 19th: Neighborhood Litter Pick-up….get out on this day and pick up trash along your street, in your neighborhood, etc. Jot down some notes of what you did on this day and email them to Cyndi or Chris to be posted in Community Service. If you take pics, please send those as well so we can add them to the site.
May 28th: Study Session….Let’s try Talk Of The Town this time. In Etowah at 5pm. DP updates, Summer Solstice Ritual discussed, pictures will be taken for the website so be prepared!
Share This
Take a walk near a stream. As you walk slowly, listening to the water sings its endless song, the birds telling each other of your presence, a squirrel warning you not to get too close, the sound of your feet caressing the Earth, pick up a small stone every once in awhile and place it in your pocket. After collecting 10-15 stones, find a secluded, quiet place to sit. Lay all of the stones in front of you on the ground and choose one stone to become your friend. Spend 15 minutes at least with this stone in your hand, touch every part of the stone, caress it, roll it in your hand, trace all edges with your fingertips, learn everything the stone has to teach you. After doing this, make a small mark on the stone. You can either do this with a pencil, scrape it with another stone to leave a small identifiable mark, etc. Then place the stone back into the pile and mix them up well. At this time, close your eyes and mix the pile of stones up together. Keeping your eyes closed, begin picking up the stones one at a time. Feel them, talk to them, know them! ..and do this with each stone until you are able to find YOUR stone that you just spent 15 minutes with. The trick is keeping your eyes closed and not peeking with the idea that you will know this stone by touch, not by sight. When you think you have found your stone, open your eyes and look for the mark. Do not be discouraged if you do not find your stone in the beginning. This is an activity you can do often and with experience and developing a special connection to our Stone People, you will improve. This is a great activity for partners and also to do with children.
Share This
Where: Cyndi’s House
When: May 1st
Time: Beginning at 5pm and ending whenever
Who: Protogrove Members only for this Rite (this will not be a public rite)
Call Cyndi for details
Share This
Powered by FireStats