exchanging zoos

      When I was in Calgary a few weeks ago I went to the zoo with one of my dearest friends in the whole wide world. Cheryl thought it would be a great idea to go upon which I promptly agreed to its greatness. I'd lived with Cheryl in Calgary for just over a year and had never been to the zoo although I'd heard much about it. Stacey, another one of my dearest friends in the whole wide world (there's a high per capita ratio of dearest friends in the whole wide world within the city limits of Calgary), went often as I recall, as did Cheryl. They spoke of the lovely getaway it was when the city was too much (exchanging zoos) and of the pretty lights in the winter. We had such a nice time. Twas a windy day in the city, when one's jacket doesn't hug as well as wished, when skin feels like snack for the elements. Underneath all the bluster it was a mild, even well-behaved Thursday but we hardly knew it for all the brag and swagger of the wind. But it was the wind that pushed us indoors to instant humid, warm, delicious air. From apes to hidden butterflies, giraffes and hippos, we saw them all. My favourite of all was the owl. We were in a large room, an indoor garden. Signs informed us of owls which could be found anywhere, high or low. We looked everywhere and just as we gave up and headed toward the doors to Elsewhere ta da! at our feet slow eyes gazed up at us above a wise beak. He was already watching us. Not moving. We left, went Elsewhere, came back and he was still sitting here. Just watching.

      Sweet lil' ol' owl. I had to lighten this photo somewhat so you could see him. He very much blended into his terrain.

      After the indoors and the tonic of warm, wet air came the outdoors and the wind and the lights! We wandered about taking photos of twinkling trees until our frozen fingers yelped loud enough for us to put them away into pockets for warm keeping.