St Francis of Boise????????

There I was, participating in one of my newest favorite pastimes, tending the garden. Nothing too unusual until a baby owl landed on the ground just a few feet away! I was really impressed with the little guy and his bravery landing just feet away from the big human holding a hose spouting water.

As I was contemplating the un-usualness of the situation and how would I get anyone's attention to witness this event with me (to give collaboration to the story as well!), the little owl flies over and LANDS ON MY FOOT!!! I froze - wishing I had a camera and looking over to the house trying to see if Sherie was around to share this with.

After he just stood there with me just standing there, I finally decided to move - he stayed perched on my watershoes as if the most natural place in the world - FOR HIM!

I summoned up a plan for my next move and bent down slowly to see if he would hop on my finger and perch there while I got a good look. Well, that proved too much and he flew a few feet away. With hose still in hand, I wondered if owls liked water - they do! He just bathed and played as water from the hose splashed over and around him (her?).

Eventually, he flew away, not to be seen since. The picture here is NOT the same bird but looks alot like it.

Contemplating (and Googleing) the significance of an owl proved interesting as I found the following:

Throughout many cultures, the symbolic meaning of owl deals with:
intelligence
brilliance
perspective
intuition
quick-wit
independence
wisdom
protection
mystery
power
Native American tribes (primarily plains’ Indians) viewed the owl as a protector against harm and their feathers were ritually worn to ward of evil spirits.
Ancient Athenians made the owl an emblem of wisdom and even emblazed the image of the owl on their coinage. To the ancient Greeks, the owl is a symbol of Athene who is goddess of foresight & knowledge.
Taking symbolism from the owl directly, it is noteworthy that it is a creature of the night. Nocturnal creatures are symbolic of inner-knowing, psychic ability, and intuition - so too is the owl.
If an owl has visited you, an incredible gift has been bestowed. Also, keep in mind that animals are only called to those who share the same energy. In other words, you hold within you some of the very same symbolic attributes the owl represents.
To illustrate, you may have abilities to know things that others do not know. It may be likely you have very strong intuitive abilities that can be fine-tuned. Further, you may be strong-willed person, and/or have a protective side to you.

and I thought I was only getting up in the middle of the night to go to the bathroom, never dreaming I had things in common with the wise old owl. OR, is the owl up in the middle of the night just because HE too, has to pee?

The things that make you go "hmmmmm......"