Laughing Buddha

Last November my brother, Michael and I were strolling along the paths in Blackburn Nature Reserve here on Salt Spring Island just after 10 am when we both noticed a large bird swoop up into a nearby tree. At first we thought it was a hawk, but on closer inspection, we realized it was a Barred Owl. Our Owl seemed to be dreaming — with his Buddha-smile — as if he were embodying that serenity we felt in the reserve. It was a remarkable experience to watch him—the only owl I’ve ever seen on the island in broad daylight.