WOW!
With its piercing human-like eyes and "Who?" call, owls are emblematic of knowledge and wisdom reinforced by Greek Mythology, the Harry Potter series, and the US Forest Service's Woodsy the Owl campaign. Even so, depending on who you are, you might view owls as silent observers of the night, guardians of ancient forests, or, less positively, as harbingers of physical or metaphorical death.
This month’s photo, taken by Kawin Towe, features a burrowing owl in flight; however, unlike their night-loving, nest-building counterparts, these owls build burrows or occupy those of other desert species. They also commonly flit around the desert on spindly legs, foraging for bugs and small rodents.
With a preference for daytime, comical physical movements, and a more petite build than many tree-perching owls, the burrowing owl may seem more juvenile than wise. Yet, could its creation and adaptation story be nature's appeal to us? After all, its daytime hunting habits and youthful appearance can make it easier to spot and more endearing.
Perhaps the burrowing owl is a feathered philosopher demonstrating that our seemingly quiet desert floors team with life. Or could it be that they remind us that being an owl is enough to warrant our respect for desert animals and their habitat?
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