The Blessing

Surprises abound if you are looking. Surprises often are simply right in front of you and you do not see them until the last second before the moment happens.

This little burrowing owl became a beautiful surprise that made me scream out. My scream and yelling out stop made the guys jump out of their skin – almost.

Let me explain. While driving on the Llano Estacado this afternoon, we drove by a huge sand-dune covered in Tahoka Daisy still blooming, along with some Cowpen daisies. I was looking at the holes in the dune for badger activity.

Then in a split second, I saw the burrowing owl standing on top of a hole. He saw the truck. His eyes got super wide and for a handful of seconds, the owl was as surprised to see the truck as I was to see him. Yes, owls can have expressive faces. If only I could have captured a photo of his eyes and the turning of his head as he watched the truck stop.

It flew off a few feet away. Landed and posed like burrowing owls do. I captured his photo.

The photo is not the bestest because it was taken with my iPhone, so I created Ai image below with Nightcafe.

What is important is to always remember that blessings can come in the smallest of packages. Those blessings can make you scream in surprise with joy and happiness. Thank you little burrowing owl for my smile yesterday!