Owl

I began my morning practice today at about 7 am.  I sat and centered myself, did some arm stretches and a couple of down dogs to get started.  Then I went into Trikonasana (triangle).  Because I was bent over to the side, I had a good view into the tree out my window.  There was a big barred owl, still as could be, except for his head that swiveled around on his ball-bearing neck.

Fine.  I did Trikonasana twice on each side. Was I paying full attention to my asana?  No.  I was watching the owl.  At one point a junco came up close to the owl.  He glared at the junco, who flitted away.  (I don’t know if owls eat smaller birds.  Maybe.)

I did two on each side of Parsvakonasana (extended side angle), still watching the owl.  He was only about 30 feet from me.

Then I laid down on the mat to do Supta Padangusthasana (supine hand to big toe).  I admit that I did this so I could keep watching the bird and doing yoga at the same time.

Suddenly three crows swooped down to the owl, chattering and harrassing him.  The owl took off down the field to get away.  He landed in a cedar halfway down the hedgerow. The crows followed, and were joined by another.  The owl flew off again, and this time another crow joined the chase.  The last I saw was the owl flapping away, followed by the five crows.  Poor guy.

I finished my practice with Jathara Parivartanasana (reclining twist) and a long Savasana (corpse). What a strange Wild Kingdom practice.