inspired by a pair of orange eyes

We were in the pet shop buying cat food. I turned round and there he was - a large eagle owl staring straight at me. Those orange eyes were mesmerizing. 'He can't see you', said his owner. 'You are far too near'. I then took in the whole scene and realised that it was the owl man who regularly displays his collection of owls in the Elephant Yard.

Now I am not a lover of caged birds - or any caged animal for that matter, but I have to admit to being fascinated by the stillness and beauty of these birds of prey. The owl man explained that they had all been rescued from captivity. Where possible, the owls were returned to the wild, but in some cases, this was not a viable option.

I had no intention of holding one on my hand, but I had asked where an owl's ears are and so before I knew it, a tawny owl was sitting on my gloved hand. The owl man gently parted the feathers on the side of his head, and there was a perfectly formed featherless ear. 'Hold him close and stroke his back' said the owl man. So I did.