Yes, we are Brothers

I was in the San Francisco Bay region with a weekend to kill.  I was testing some space hardware at Physics International in San Leandro.  We did not finish the testing on Friday and had to come back first thing Monday to complete the testing.  It made no sense to head back to Virginia for a very short weekend.

            I decided to head for Yosemite National Park.  It was the end of October, and I knew that the lodge was closed.  I also had heard that the park service provided tents in the bottom of the valley that could be rented.  Unlike the crowds of the summer, I was pretty sure I would have the place almost all to myself.

            Yosemite is about 150 miles due East of San Leandro.  I knew it would take a good 3 hours to get there.  I was able to call ahead and reserve a tent. I was also able to get away from Physics International about 4:00 PM.  Some of the drive was in the dark, but I was able to get there by 7:30.  The ranger very kindly showed me to my tent.  It was equipped with lanterns, a cot, a sleeping bag and a space heater.  Snow had fallen on the south rim that day.

I had packed appropriate cold weather gear since I had planned this trip for some time. I pulled into the parking lot, gathered my gear, opened the tent, and was soon snoring away.

Figure 1: Yosemite Valley Tent Camp

I was awake at 5:00 and ready to drive up onto the rim of the south side of the valley to look for my objective-the Great Gray Owl.  I had rented a four-wheel drive vehicle, and the snow was only 4 or 5 inches deep and fluffy, so I did not expect any problems.  The Great Gray Owl is a boreal species found mostly in Canada and Alaska  There are also high-altitude mountain locations in the lower US including Yosemite.

The snow at the top of the south rim was very fresh and the air was dead still so there was complete silence.  I started walking. It was just starting to have a bit of light. I also had my small tape recorder.  I started playing the song of the Owl. https://xeno-canto.org/715843.

I walked through the snow for about a  half hour.  Sunrise was near.  Suddenly, my tape song was being returned.  I kept walking toward the sound.  There, about 25 yards away was the Owl sitting out in the open on a low hanging branch.

Figure 2: Great Gray Owl

            He stared at me. I stared at him.  He hooted at me. I hooted at him. 

            There was only me and the Owl in the whole universe.  I knew right then that we are brothers.  That the creative powers of the universe had fashioned both of us from the same cloth.  I knew that all was well with the world and always would be.

            Yes, we are brothers.