In NZ the native owl is the Morepork and this is the sound of its call- Morepork. We have always loved owls as a family it is perhaps their mysticism or perhaps their association with wisdom. My viewings have been limited to those in captivity but my ears are attuned to their call both at home and in NZ. We had several lived in our backyard bush on Mount Tiger and I would fall asleep listening to their calls most nights, it was as familiar as the sound of the cicadas in summer, but here it was during half term when we were caravanning in Cheshire amidst the trees not far from Arley estate that I heard the familiar sound.
This Saturday I had to get the train to London very early in the morning, 5.30am, before it was light to represent our research project at the Rethink annual conference. As we parked the car at the station I heard the call of a lone owl.
Early morning mist
Lone owl calls- winter darkness
Train leaves the station.
©Alison Jean Hankinson
This is for d’Verse haibun monday, where we were asked to consider owls.
The images are all my own.
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Hues of Hankinson 
I miss so much hearing owls… it would be great if I could hear them more… even better see them.
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Morepork. Intriguing. I will have to listen closer. The thought of an owl swooping down on a pig is amusing though.
We def dont hear them or see them nearly as often. I would love to though.
Interesting how the owl call links the two trips now. So what was your presentation on?
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We have been doing a research project supporting relatives who are in crisis who have a family member with bi-polar/schizophrenia. It has been very worthwhile. The morepork- does actually say morepork…it is fascinating…
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this is the sound. XX
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Thanks for sharing.
I heard it!
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I love the video…thanks for sharing~
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I love it that you actually had an owl encounter today. Nice work with the haiku and that twist in the last line–back to the banality of everyday.
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I think we’re very lucky in the UK. We have a wide variety of birds and species, most of which we can see quite often. But I bet you saw some wonderful birds in New Zealand, Alison. I’ve never heard of the Morepork so I’ll look it up later. Great pictures! Was that a school research project you presented in London?
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I am working with Lancaster Uni a couple of days each week, we are trialling some support work with families in crisis from bi-polar/schizophrenia. XX
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That sounds fascinating. I hope you’ll write more about this topic.
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Good cause! Do you have anything to do with SANE?
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We signpost to most reputable NGO’s. XXX
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Best wishes with your research project. I’ve never seen an owl (to my remembrance), but cicadas are common.
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I miss the sound of the cicadas. XX
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Lovely imagery, Alison. The haiku is delightful 🙂 I’ve live in London for so long, I’d have to get to the zoo to remind myself of what owls, chickens, sheep and goats look like 🙂
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chortle. there must be foxes and squirrels though…
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😊
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So lucky that you see and hear the call of the owls ~ Love that haiku of the calling of winter darkness ~ It’s coming our way very soon ~
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Thank you. XX
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I hope you don’t get mad at me for saying so, but I thinking maybe “morepork” is a cry for more sex. 🙂
That being said, this is my favorite section:
“We had several liv[ing] in our backyard bush on Mount Tiger and I would fall asleep listening to their calls most nights”
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Thankyou. XXX
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How especially wonderful to hear the call of an owl in the city. Magical!
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O my! It does sound like its name. Thanks for sharing the video. “Lone owl calls- winter darkness”…It is indeed the herald of winter. Lovely Haibun.
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I liked the turn in your Haiku — train leaving the station. A fun story. When I went to Wheaton College (speaking of ReThink), I took a course called “Christ and Culture” — it was shocking to me all the different ways Christians over the centuries have built contrary ways to live in their world and interact or not with their surrounding cultures — I have since seen the same variety amongst Muslims, Jews and even poets. Smile
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I enjoyed reading your recollections and haiku here. I also love owls…the way they can turn/swivel their head….their saucered-almost-never-blinking eyes…and their majesty when they spread their wings. Amazing creatures! I also like to think of them as wise, rather than as predators.
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What a wonderful haibun and haiku! I love that you grew up hearing their calls. Owls are so freaking cool!
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