Solar Eclipse Four

As the day faded into an unusual twilight, I sat quietly in my photo blind, my camera poised and ready. It was the day of the solar eclipse and I was hopeful the Short-eared Owls would hunt in the diminishing light. As the moon began its slow dance across the sun, an eerie hush enveloped the landscape. The air cooled, the vibrant colours of the world dimmed, and an otherworldly glow emerged. Sounds of nature were replaced by a stillness that felt almost sacred. I marveled at the quality of light; it was unlike anything I had ever witnessed. Suddenly, I caught movement on the periphery of my view. A Short-eared Owl appeared against the backdrop of the fence line. I held my breath, my only movement the depression of the shutter button, capturing the exquisite blend of nature and celestial wonder. As the eclipse reached totality, the world around me transformed. The cooling air wrapped around me like a gentle embrace, and I felt a profound connection to the universe. It was a reminder of the beauty that exists beyond the mundane—a fleeting moment where time stood still, where the light from above painted the earth in strokes of magic. The Owl continued to hunt right up to the start of totality, resting in the grass until a glimmer of sun appeared, resuming it’s quest for prey. As the moon began to retreat and the sun's brilliance returned, I felt a bittersweet pang. The experience had been fleeting but unforgettable.