Owls and owls and owls, and owls.....

I am gob-smacked by all of the owl boxes available to watch now. And the quality of the cameras people are using to share the experience with us.

When it was just Molly and McGee, we whined and pleaded and kvetched about wanting more views, different views, better views, ever changing views. And for the most part, we got them. Carlos kept adding more and more equipment, and stuck around almost 24/7 to insure it was working. Some question his motives. I don't. Not because I don't believe he had any "ulterior motives", but because I don't care. He did it for whatever reason he did it, and it started an owl revolution.

People from all over the world are watching and learning about owls. School children are tuning in, reachers are using it as a tool to educate, and ordinary people are watching nature in a way they have never watched before. Close-up, immediate, and very, very addictive. And on their terms. Watch for a minute, watch for a day. Stay up all night to see it live, or go to bed and look at all the videos and pictures of the event the next day.

And all while having a virtual conversation with warm, witty, intelligent and interesting people. I mean, really!?! It can't get much better than that. Ah, wait...it can!

Because some of these people went a step further and actually set up a place and a time to meet in reality.
And although some were nervous about what they would discover about their virtual buddies, for the most part, these people have become close friends and developed even deeper connections.

And all the while, most of us have kept the focus right where it started - on the owls. On these intriguing, fascinating, beautiful creatures. And on their irresistible, gorgeously ugly, and endlessly silly owlets.

That's not to say we haven't "branched out...". We watch and comment on hummingbirds and squirrels and pandas and eagles. We watch a watering hole on the African Plains. And we share pictures and stories about our pets and children and spouses and hobbies. We celebrate birthdays and discuss what's for dinner. We share life advice, and mourn with those who grieve.

So there you have it: we are a big, crazy, dysfunctional, lively and ever-changing family. With nick-names, and  in-jokes, and brothers and sisters who fight, make-up, and fight again. We sit around waiting for the next big event - waiting for Auntie Willow to have ANOTHER baby. And we question why in the world so-and-so is doing what she's doing with thus-and-such. And how can Uncle Bobby have married that hussy, and isn't Auntie Gladys drinking too much these days, and, my!,  hasn't Doris' teenager gotten big?

And it's all a great big delight. And unlike a real family, one that you can enter and exit at will. And most of the time, we have something wonderful to share, which keeps the bickering at bay.

I am still, and always will be, a member of that family. And I watch with joy every day. As this site progresses, I will "report"more, and opine less. But I will keep my HORK-ish sense of humor about me and learn a lot as I go.

I already have. And I sincerely thank my friends for their support. Don't forget to sign up for the blog, so that you can be notified when there's something new posted. And don't forget - I adore you!

CAR