Around dusk last evening, as I calmly and serenely scanned Carlos Avery for birds in declining light, I caught motion peripherally to my left. I turned and was faced with a Short-eared moving at good speed, who seemingly was wishing to perch on me since I was so well-placed. One flap and he was 3 feet from me, at eye level, moving at a bout 10 mph. My instincts failed me. Marlon Perkins or Pete Neubeck would have adroitly turned with their camera in focus and pointed up, mine was pointed down, and my central nervous system took over. I screamed my best girlish scream, juggled my camera, spun left, threw my left arm up to shield my face from attack, and then turned away, still screaming in my harshest falsetto. The bird, it seems, wasn't attacking me, and it seemed unaffected by my display as it calmly veered left and flapped languidly on its way. Terrifying other animals is what owls do. I think I managed to see things from the perspective of the Meadow Vole, and let me tell you, it is an image I will retain. These birds are nearly as big as Red-tails in wingspan, and their round yellow eyes shine brightly from their sooty facial disks. These birds moved within 15 feet of me several times again. They are spectacular flyers, perhaps the most acrobatic bird I have ever seen. I have seen them push to rapid speed like a Goshawk, stoop quickly like a Merlin, roll and tumble better than a Harrier in May, and they are at times reminiscent of swallows coursing over fields, at other times, and they are nearly bat-like in their agility, quick turns and maneuvers. Moth-like? I don't think so. Man, if Mothra could fly like that, he would have kicked Godzilla's butt.=20 Mothra is alive and well in Carlos Avery NWR, in the drier meadows adjacent to Pool 10. Go see them and be amazed. I think I will fashion a hat with a perch on it for my next visit. I am afraid I will put my eye out. Good Birding.
Mark Alt Brooklyn Center, MN