Who Watches The Watcher?

Have you ever been walking a trail and feel like something is watching you intently? Here in the desert, if it's a Mountain Lion, you'll never know that they're stalking you until you're dead:) But sometimes.....just sometimes....I get that chill up my back......and look hoo it is:)

During this time of finals chaos, I escape to clear my mind. And as I got lost in my photography, I found yet another miracle in this Great Horned nest.  Instead of 2 owlets, I found 3!!!

They watched me carefully.  I was with my new friends Sally and Robert.  Sometimes you focus the camera in one area looking for the bird or animal and discover it's staring straight at you!  And sometimes I get goosebumps after I realize I've been watched for a long time.

And speaking of being stalked....last year I had an incident of being stalked by another human.  I'm only writing about it now because I am much more comfortable talking about it.  I had gotten sick to my stomache physically knowing that someone was following me around town.  I'm leaving some of the details out obviously but the police were involved.  We were at a party one night and I discovered a car sitting outside the home.  It became worse as the stalker went to my neighbor's houses.  When my loved ones became worried, I made the call to the police.  And it was an awkward conversation.  Thankfully it stopped.   I realized having a stalker isn't as cool as it sounds:)

This is adorable....the owlet is yawning:)

Now when wildlife "stalks" me or vice versa, I'm okay.  But another thought pops into my head, "How far would I go for the "shot"?  If a Mountain Lion charged me, I think I would stand taking pictures until I was eaten:)  And it's okay if I got eaten because I'm doing what I love PLUS it's one less person on this world.  I should clarify that it is highly unlikely to be charged by the elusive Mountain Lion.  However, there have been reports in the past of "stalking" at Sabino Canyon.  You'll see signs posted.  It's just something to be aware about....and these cases are usually related to a rabies outbreak.  Just be aware of your surroundings and of course, during this hot summer, bring lots of water.  Hike before 10 AM or after 4 PM. I will usually take my walks around 5 or 6 because I hate the direct sun.  But seriously, have you thought about how far you would go to get that "shot"?  And if you are that person, what was the experience?

I can't imagine my life without photography and birding/wildlife buddies like Sally and Robert.  I realize how precious life is and how every day has to count.  These owlets make me smile and clear my mind of all the crazy things that happen around me.  I will always be curious, like my cats, and I will always push the envelope until I can't anymore.  More tomorrow....