The Barn Owl
We walked from Helston to Loe Bar on a grey and wet afternoon in late December. We set off mid-afternoon and by the time we reached the sea the sun was dimming, this coupled with the gathering rain clouds meant the light was quickly disappearing. By the time we reached the u-shaped path that curved over the river twilight had descended and we were soaked by the heavy downpour which had just passed over. We stopped at the café and Rob stood waiting for me as I went to see if it was still open. It had already closed for the night, but as I returned he motioned for me to be quiet. In front of us was the pale owl swooping across the mud brown water that had broken the banks of the stream. It flew towards the lake, where two herons were also looking for supper. The owl flew over the damp valley looking for food, a mouse maybe, or perhaps a frog sitting in the damp pools. The owl’s pale sandy wings made it stand out in the crepuscular light. It swooped along the bank of the pool and at times hovered over specific spots, we left it sat in a tree scanning the landscape for a possible meal. As we walked back several small brown things ran across the path in front of us and we could hear a tawny owl calling in the waterlogged willow carr to the right of the path. Mallards swam through the trunks of trees usually found on the banks of the Helford which were now emerging from the rising waters. I hoped to see an elusive otter in the eventide but was not so lucky, nevertheless the sight of the ghostly owl flying over the water was return enough for my damp feet, sodden gloves and running nose.
