Win an Edward Lear Eagle Owl Print from the Sumptuous New Book ‘Birds Drawn for John Gould’

I've always been intrigued by owls having been raised on a farm in Pennsylvania. We would see barn owls and would often hear their haunting call.

I love the fact that all owls can peacefully perch themselves with an expression of self reserve. They can hold so still, yet pivot their necks in what almost seems to be a 380 degree circumference. They can mechanically dip their necks and look at you with those wonderful eyes. Lear has captured a great pose of this eagle owl. I had a barn owl perch near my backyard window once and studied him for several minutes. I knew I would never have that opportunity to be that close to such a wonderful creature. I will never forget him. Bird artists have truly made it possible to study the beauty of these birds up close.

what a wonderful project.

In my hometown in Virginia there was an urban "sand green" golf course that was part of a parcel of land willed to the city with the proviso that it would remain undeveloped and serve as a public park. On the first hole, which was situated on a ridge overlooking the mostly open ground of the nine hole layout, was a massive old oak tree with a large limb about ten to twelve feet off the ground. Regularly perched upon that limb, quite oblivious to human traffic, was a Red Tail Hawk. I have spent many happy hours watching these magnificent creatures on the wing riding thermals over the Blue Ridge mountains, but to stand so close to one and on rare occasion watch it hunt, was a great honor and those memories I hold dear. It was there that my lifelong love of and admiration for birds of prey began.

I'm happy no special talent is required to enter this contest! One of my fondest wishes is to be able to communicate directly with animals. Failing that, I have to do the work of studying them, as I sometimes see my cats studying me.