Owl

They say an owl can symbolize wisdom, knowledge, and change. According to Native American beliefs, owls are messengers form the spirit world. The Hope believe that owls can represent a warning against sorcery, while the Obijwe think owls relate to news of death. The Kikuyu of Kenya believe Owls are forewarning of death, whilst the Japanese think the owl is a symbol of luck. Good or bad, Owls are nocturnal and majestic creatures. They include over two Hundred species. It is believed they are found in most regions of the Earth. They are skillful birds who can fly silently with their serrated wings over their prey hunting rodents, fish, and insects.

This is a story of a photographer Hugo Sanchez. Hugo lives in Alberta Canada. He believed in capturing the moments of life. He believed in the stars. He believed in the beauty of Earth and the sky. He travelled across the country and took picturesque photos all year round. After snapping many pictures of the constellations, the aurora, noctilucent nights, magnificent moon lit skies, this year he set his eyes on Owls. There are ten to eleven species of Owls in Alberta. This year his goal was to take pictures of all of them. He had already taken pictures of the snow owl, hawk owl, the horned owl, great grey owl and many others and now he only had one last owl to take. It was a barn own. Today, he was going to his friend’s barn in yellow knife. They would gaze at the aurora lit sky in a still night and take as many breath-taking pictures as possible for National Geographic.

He finally arrived at His friend Robert’s barn and in the corner of narrow muddy road in the dark was the silhouette of a man and two dogs awaiting his arrival. “You are going to be amazed tonight. I assure you, the nights here are marvelous”. “As long as National Geographic thinks so!”, said Hugo. “How was you ride here Hugo”? asked Robert. “Not too shabby. I just had to tuck away the memories as I thought of the sky” said Hugo in a heavy voice. Same day two years ago, Hugo lost his son Emilio. He was born with complications and battled a disability for fourteen years. “When I look at the stars I know see him. He will always be my angel” said Hugo. “If you can hear me, please help your dad take a breath-taking picture for National Geographic my sweet angel”.

Hugo unloaded his gadgets and camera from the car. They walked towards the barn. The night sky began to set in and one by the stars twinkled and multiplied like fireflies dancing in the sky. The moonlight began to creep on them. Slowly they were surrounded by constellations and dancing blankets of aurora fields. The white bright moon right behind the barn and multiple stars like diamonds bedazzled the sky. It was the perfect picture for National Geographic magazine. And as Hugo set up his camera and got ready for a post card shot, a huge bird flapped its wings and sat on roof top of the barn. ‘Hoot, hoot’! The Owl greeted him. “Yes the barn owls are part of the community here” said Robert.

“Well look at that! Now I have the silhouette of the owl on top of the barn house with a blanket of starlit night at the back background, plus I have my last Owl picture. Perfect!” “Are you sure you want the Owl in the picture”? “More than sure”. The Barn Owl posed majestically like it knew he was part of the shot. Hugo began to snap lots of pictures while the stars danced in the sky. As he shot pictures, a comet passed zipped across the sky. Hugo couldn’t have asked for a better night. When they finished taking the pictures they walked into the house for dinner.

“Hurry up Hugo your soup will get cold. Would you like some butter on your bread?” “Yes please. I can’t believe the amazing pictures I took. My pictures could be nominated by National Geographic. My son’s spirit has helped me find a beautiful night sky”. “Don’t forget to thank the Owls, you know we believe owls are the messengers of spirit. Your son maybe talking through them”. “Don’t Owls symbolize death?”” Well over here, they symbolize luck my friend” smiled Robert.

Two months later, Robert finished cutting wood and noticed the barn Owl sitting on his mail box. It was form Hugo. He opened it and it was a magazine, National Geographic. The front cover was featured his Barn, with star filled night and the silhouette of his owl on the roof and it read ‘Aurora at the Barn house’. He looked at the Owl and said, “See, I told him you were the bringer of luck”!