Meadow Mueller 07/2003 - 04/2015

Meadow Mueller 07/2003 - 04/2015

December 2, 2024

Hello Darkness

Over the last decade or so I have noticed that as November rolls along, the days get shorter, and overall everything is just darker...  unfortunately that also includes my mood.  I feel sad.  Maybe a little depressed?  It's odd because I do welcome the cooler, and then colder months.  I dread summer so much these days because of how hot and humid it gets here in Toronto nowadays, and my work is often unbearable with the hummidex in the mid-40's.  

With every season I look forward to things that nature has to offer.  The fall and winter brings us a wider variety of owls.  This time of year also brings us the return of Little Al, an eastern screech owl.  And like clock work, he returned this year on October 26th, the same day as the previous year.  I've spent so many hours over the last 4 winters watching this bird from the kitchen window.  A great distraction from the shit in life.  This owl was a blessing when Angie and I were sick AF with covid a few years ago, and during the lockdowns.  Having a backyard owl has been awesome and something I am proud to have attracted to our property.  I started with one box in a not so great spot 10 years ago and over the years eventually managed to perfect things, ensuring it had a safe place to roost where the squirrels could not get to him.

Then something happened just over a week ago.  I got a message on Facebook from a sort of neighbour who lives just up around the corner from us.  They said I've been a great influence through my community posts called Wildlife Wednesday.  Guess what happened.  They quickly got a screech owl to their box.  Guess what also happened.  We lost our screech owl visits.

It was a bitter sweet bit of news.  I mean it is nice to know there are others in the area who have an interest in our local wildlife; and are taking notice, and caring, because of my posts.  I've made a few friends through this, and at the very least some good acquaintances with others.

There's no denying that this news also stung.  Looking out to our yard and seeing the empty boxes.  If the bird shared visits between here and there, that wouldn't be so bad.  But for him to totally disappear.  OUCH!  I know I am being a bit dramatic since it's only been just over a week.  My sinking mood over the last month can be a big part of the blame.  Little Al may still come back, even if only for a day here and there.  His new roost is approximately 500 ft away.

I've told some about this.  I've not put it out to social media.  The reactions have varied with those who I talked to about this.  Silly anger which has been comical.  Positive support that I have influenced others.  The worst were those saying that I should never have posted about him visiting us in the first place.  I never bragged about him nor did I post constantly about him.  Having him find us and continue to visit was uplifting news.  It was a win win thing, providing him shelter, and having us be able to see one of the most elusive creatures in our neighbourhood right from our kitchen window.

So, yeah, what is turning into a normally dark time of the year sure has gotten even darker.  Insert sad face.

I've been trying to turn myself around but it is difficult.  Some other yucky stuff has been happening which I blog about soon.

We're on vacation this week and I look forward to all the fun and distractions that we have planned.