02/20/2026
On Monday, I went for a walk in the woods with my friend Dan and ran into a familiar face. It was the Barred Owl I’d seen months ago in Shiller Park Woods with friends!
The owl let us sit on a log right below it for more than half an hour. We stayed quiet and patient, and it seemed completely unbothered by our presence.
However, if you swipe to the last photo, you’ll see the exact moment the owl stared me down after hearing me giggle at how goofy it looked scratching its head with its talons. It reminded me of an old lady trying to adjust her tights while wearing a large coat. 😅👀 It gave us a stare then just continued sitting on its lookout for prey.
Grateful for the nice weather we’ve been having in Chicago these past few days: a reminder that green will return to the forests soon. I’m thankful for my friend who will sit patiently enough for moments like this with old owl acquaintances. 🌳 🦉
