Taking solace from nature.
There are many species of birds and mammals that evoke emotion and personal connection, for me and my family, there are 2 in particular, the Robin and the owl, not one in particular, but the entire family, from Barn to Tawny and Short-eared and everything in between.
The Robin, symbolises lost loved ones to many, and my family are no exception, as the old saying goes “When Robins appear, loved ones are near”.
As a family, we certainly believe in that phrase, and my mum and dad specifically, take comfort from a visiting Robin symbolising my grandad ‘Jim’ and more recently, my uncle Chris, his son and my dads younger brother, who recently passed away from pancreatic cancer.
Owls are not just my favourite bird to see and photograph, they also hold a much more important emotional and spiritual connection to myself and my wife. Owls are often seen as a symbol of wisdom, but they also represent mystery, intelligence and protection.
Across the world, owls can be seen as representing both good and bad luck, and in India, actually carry both positive and negative association.
Tamara and my spiritual connection with owls began nearly 10 years ago. Having been struck by a significant and debilitating anxiety attack, which hit like a truck and came out of nowhere, Tamara was recommended multiple means of recovery assistance, CBT therapy, psychotherapist visits and counselling. Tamara chose the latter.
In one of the sessions, the counsellor presented Tamara with a deck of picture cards, all completely different, and with no specific relevance (or so she thought). She was asked to choose any card that ‘spoke’ to her, or resonated in any way - this was the card she chose.
Tamara’s Picture Card
For no apparent reason, years before my love for photography started and long before either of our passions for wildlife had reached the extent that they are now, this owl ‘spoke’ to her, and from that moment onwards, became a significant part of her rehabilitation.
Our love of owls was born.
Owls now hold an even more significant place in our lives, having spent hundreds of hours in their presence. There is something genuinely magical about them, they are mysterious, almost ethereal, and regardless of how many times we have seen them, we still get tingles down the spine and an increased heart rate every time we are in the presence of one.