Cloud Owl in Flight – Photo: L. Weikel

Luxury

While taking a walk early this evening, the tranquility of our lives, in this moment, was squarely in Karl’s and my awareness. Our greatest discomfort was how much colder it was tonight than it was a few days ago. We had the luxury of walking in silence, feeling awe as a hawk flew right across our path seemingly to get a better view of us, and delighting in a flock of over two dozen robins hopping around on the neighbor’s lawn.

Of course, we were thinking about the upheaval of the lives of Ukrainians who, quite possibly, may have taken a walk similar to ours less than a week ago. But now they’re refugees. Or quite possibly guerilla soldiers, dedicated to defending their country and willing to lose it all rather than succumb to Putin’s regime.

Even though we were, indeed, walking in silence (at least initially), I know our thoughts turned toward Ukraine at the same time without us having to exchange a single word. We just stopped, looked into each other’s eyes, and sighed.

Hawk on our left – Photo: L. Weikel

Target Practice

We sighed because all of a sudden the sounds and silence of nature were shredded by the rat-a-tat-tat of a rapid-fire weapon. I don’t know enough about firearms to know whether what we heard was an automatic or a semi-automatic – but I do know it’s not the type of gun that hunters use to shoot deer. Ah, there it was again. Across the hills from us, another burst of staccato gunfire. And then more. At least another six to ten bursts of bullets echoed through the countryside as we made our way up the hill.

Other than being used for target practice, we all know, deep down, what those types of guns are designed to ‘hunt.’ And the images of Ukrainian grandmothers arming themselves with Kalishnakovs and AK-47s springs to mind unbidden. What were they doing last week at this time?

Hawk taking flight and crossing before us – Photo: L. Weikel

Looking Up

At the same time that we hear those gunshots slashing at our peace, we look up and toward the west, only to find a massive cloud owl taking wing across the sky.

It could, of course, be a harbinger of death on the wind. Or it could be a symbol of protection. My first reaction when I saw the Cloud Owl was a sense of gratitude and familiarity, the appearance of a cherished friend and ally. To me, the Cloud Owl looks like it’s speeding off, intent upon fulfilling a mission. So I thanked it for appearing to us and asked it to bring protection and comfort to whomever needs it.

Cloud Owl in context – Photo: L. Weikel

(T+81)

Welcome Distraction

At least three times today I was compelled to pull off to the side of the road to take a photo of the sky. And there were probably twice as many times I wanted to pull over but couldn’t. I don’t know if it was the sunshine or the mild temperatures that called to me today, but I’ll admit just driving around and looking at the clouds was a welcome distraction.

It was hard to believe some of the forms and figures I saw splashed across the sky today weren’t literally painted by some invisible hand. Beyond the figures included in this post, there were a couple that looked eerily as if someone was trying to write a name or a message in the sky. Letters hung precariously in the middle of blank blue sky like broken pieces of a wooden sign, swinging from hooks. And those letters appeared to be gilded and illuminated from within as the sun, peering at them from behind other clouds, caressed them just so.

The letters were so unlikely, too. Small and distinct, employing odd angles and textures. And they seemed to appear within kissing distance of some grand, sweeping expanses – yet remained chaste, standoffish, and utterly isolated.

Cloud Goddess – Photo: L. Weikel

Tremendous Range

The few images I managed to capture almost couldn’t have been more different. The first, which is at the top of this post, reminds me of a Sea or Wind Goddess either offering a gift to the sun or making an offering of the sun to the face discernible above and to the left of the sun. Either way, the bearer of the gift is the epitome of a beautiful creature celebrating the freedom of the sky.

On the other hand, the photo below could indeed indicate that the invasion of our Insect Overlords has commenced. Resistance is futile.

Insect Overlord? – Photo: L. Weikel

I have to say, while the gigantic praying mantis does appear to be eyeing us up, I’d like to think its intentions are benign at worst and benevolent at best. While I detect just a hint of glee in its expression, I don’t think it’s in anticipation of a meal.

At least I hope not.

(T-338)