Have you met Fred?

My wife and I moved to a new part of town in 2021. One of the main draws was the natural forest area a stones throw from the house. We’ve walked down into the trees quite a few times and obviously, I would bring my camera because loads of wildlife hang out in there.

Since the first week we moved, we’ve heard an owl hooting close by. We decided the owl must live in the forested area and his name was likely Fred. On a particularly moonlit night, I looked out the back window and saw Fred sitting in our tree. As a silhouette, it actually looked like a small toddler was perched on the branch. That was the last good look I would get for a couple years. Every so often when we’d be on a walk, Fred would silently swoop down from an unseen location and vanish in an instant. I could never get a photograph!

On Saturday, I was making my way back home from a quick hike. I was already feeling pretty content thanks to a few photographs already in the camera. Every twenty metres or so, I would veer off the dirt trail and check the adjacent stream for Mallard ducks. These ducks are incredibly shy, so technique matters. Crouch under a branch, peer up and down the water, watch for movement, and repeat. Then, out of my peripheral vision, there was Fred — watching me. It felt a lot like when you’re relaxing inside, you’ve been there a while, but then you notice a giant spider on the ceiling. How long has it been there — doesn’t matter — you know it’s been watching you the entire time.

I couldn’t have been happier in that moment. Staying long enough to give me a few poses, then swooped off down the waterway in complete silence. What a guy.