1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
"I rejoice that there are owls.", December 10, 2008
This review is from: Owls (Voyageur Wilderness Books) (Paperback)
Owls are creatures of wisdom, harbingers of death. The Pima Indians sing: "There came a gray owl at sunset, There came a gray owl at sunset, Hooting softly around me. He brought terror to my heart."
If you happen to be a rodent or a songbird, owls are bringers of death. They have even been known attack humans who are disturbing their nests. One famous birder lost an eye in order to receive this wisdom. Only the brave go in for owl banding. One photograph in this book of beautiful color illustrations shows the last sight a vole will ever see: a Great Gray Owl banking down, wings, talons, and tail feathers fully extended, its fierce yellow eyes intent on its next meal.
However, there are some humans who truly love these beautiful raptors. I will never forgive J.K. Rowling for killing off Harry Potter's owl, Hedwig (who was actually a male Snowy Owl). For those readers who agree with me, "Owls" is wonderful reading.
Author, Connie Toops starts off with her own up-close-and-personal owl encounter. Hooter, a Great Horned Owl who had been raised by humans, spent the first summer after his release sitting on her bedroom air-conditioner, peering in the window and hooting to be fed. Eventually Hooter learned to hunt, but he (or she) had been imprinted on humans and began to court the author's husband, Pat:
"Three nights later Hooter appeared at the window with a rabbit's head...Hooter and Pat exchanged calls, Hooter bowed and shuffled, took the prey from its beak with its talons, and laid it at Pat's feet."
Sadly, owls and humans don't always live in harmony with each other. The author details many mythologies about these nocturnal (for the most part) predators, including their use in medicines and charms: "Until fairly recently, nailing a dead owl or its wings to a European home or barn was believed to ward off plagues and storms."
"Owls" is a quick, engaging read on the various species of European and American owls, with details concerning their anatomy, ecology, courtship and nesting habits, and prey. The photographs are numerous and beautiful, especially those of the Great Gray Owl. I hope one of these raptors drops down from its northern range some winter day and pays us a visit. We are already very lucky to have Barred Owls (see my photograph attached to this review), Great Horned Owls, and Screech Owls in our woods. To quote Thoreau, "I rejoice that there are owls."
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
