There was an owl today in Pershing Park. Majestically perched on a ranger’s arm, as large as a man’s torso, with eyes as big as Sacagaweas, its head swivelling around Exorcist-style…
As part of a joint effort between the Willard, the National Park Service, and Earth Conservation Corp., tables were set up with info on the Anacostia River conservation effort, packets of wildflowers were distributed, and volunteers were gardening in an Earth Day Celebration. A jazz band even played through lunch. It was wonderfully relaxing, and even though the fountain isn’t running yet, a sweet way to get a nature fix in my favorite green space in the middle of the city.
But really, the star was the owl. Seeing a raptor that close defies similes. It truly seemed alien, unreal. The beak, the talons, the amber eyes focusing on you and yet through you… I was enraptured. My camera phone, however, was rendered impotent, unable to capture any decent shots. It seems some moments you just have to “settle” for memory, and sigh at the beauty you cannot control.
This post appeared in its original form at DC Metblogs
As one of the founding editors of We Love DC, Jenn’s passions are theater and cocktails. After two decades in the city, she’s loved every quirky, mundane, elegant, rude minute of her DC life. A proud advocate for DC’s talented drinks scene, she’s judged the Corcoran Gallery of Art’s ARTINI contest, the DC Rickey Month contest, the Jefferson Hotel’s Quill Cocktail competition, and is a founding member of LUPEC DC. A graduate of Catholic University’s drama program, she toured the country as a member of National Players, and has been both an actor and a costume designer before jumping the aisle to theater criticism. Writing for We Love DC restored her happiness after a life-threatening illness, and she’s grateful to you, dear readers. Send your suggestions to jenn (at) welovedc (dot) com and follow her on Twitter.
