I was graced with the beautiful presence of the boobook owl who lives at my workplace. He sat on the balcony’s handrail, peering left and right, fluffed up against the wintery night chill. He would turn his head to inspect new sounds, but he was content with me sitting and watching him from just a couple of metres away. Of course the sun had set and the few external lights are dim, otherwise he probably wouldn’t have been sitting there, so I couldn’t get any photos of his gorgeous form. In the darkness, I could still see his large shining eyes, and the typical “frowny” look of his kind.
I feel such contentment and affinity with owls, but after seeing the boobook, and hearing him call so frequently, I love them even more. They are a special and sacred creature (though I really do love all animals!), and while I sat with him, I just wanted to snuggle his feathers. My husband insisted that the owl would bite my fingers right off if I pet it, to which I fondly agreed. Of course he would bite them off. He’s that kind of owl.
I’ve been thinking of getting a second tattoo, one featuring an owl. Tattoos are really important things, and I would take a very long time in deciding what I want (just like I did with my first ink, my little bat). This might be done to mark my first publication, and of course, because I just want to.
In other news, I’ve updated my sidebar links/Favourite Reads to include a few more of the blogs I read frequently! I kept forgetting I needed to do that, what with my head being filled with too many stories. But now there are new additions, and there will undoubtedly be others again in the future when I find more awesome people and places around the internet.
~A
The Fane 
Aw, I adore owls too! 🙂 They’re definitely very beautiful, spiritual and magical creatures! Second tattoo!? Awesome! And your first publication is definitely a great reason to get one! Are you thinkin all black ink tats, or are you thinking of introducing colour to your inks in future? I love my Arwen Evenstar tattoo and the Sindarin elvish script I got sooo much! And desperately want another fifty, but finance is the issue, unfotunately! I won’t go anywhere other than Holdfast in Vic Park as well, because they are just the best there is in Perth. And their minimum price is $350, though trust me, well worth it. It’s one of those things you just don’t want to scrimp on! Ben says in all his years in that scene, he has never seen a cleaner, more professional and talented studio of artists in our state. And I trust his judgement on that front! He’s been around.
If you get this owl tattoo, how big roughly and where would it be? Are you still saving your hip for your frilled neck lizard? 😀
I would like the owl to be a brown tattoo, actually. I will be definitely going to Holdfast, too! I do a lot of research before I get ink, and they have had a great reputation for years. The studio I got my bat done in the US was exceptional at the time, but local friends have told me the place went downhill a year or so later, which is disappointing in a way. At this stage, I’m considering getting it on the inside of my right forearm, just below the elbow, which would end up being around two and a half inches I suppose. I had the husband sketch something on me (I can’t draw left-handed at all) which I was really pleased with.
I don’t think the ol’ frill-neck will ever come into being, now. I might add some friends for the bat, though. 🙂
~A
Oh! That’s sounds really good, Ash! 🙂 I’ve got my two part tat on my inner left forearm, takes up about 3/4’s of it actually! I’m dying to get my wrists done. I was thinking baby’s name and some symbolic decorative art surrounding it. (Eg: our son’s birth plant is ivy, and I LOVE ivy, so I’d get his name and some pretty tendrils and what not to frame it!)
Aw, poor frill neck! Hehe! And I’m glad you’d be going with Holdfast. I really can’t recomend them enough! 😀
Thank you! Oooh, I’ve been wanting to get a tat of ivy wrapped around my hand! I’ve also been considering on and off an infinity symbol on my right wrist, to “match” my bat. 🙂
~A
It doesn’t surprise me at all that we have both been thinking ivy around the wrists/hands! 🙂 Would the infinity symbol be a little stylised/unique, or the standard sideways figure 8? And what does it represent for you? I’ve been trying to think of what I want on my right arm, but haven’t come up with anything certain. I’ve been thinking the Awen, Triquetra or Triskelle symbols…
Those are the things I haven’t figured out, hence I have not gotten the tat yet. 😉 Infinity is everything. All. Life. Existence. And still, it’s such a simple design. That’s why I love it above other symbols that represent similar notions; everything is simple, yet so complex, all wrapped into itself, a tidy little bundle.
~A
Owls are such amazing creatures. I love all animals (except insects and spiders and things like that). I have a cat myself and we’re looking into getting her a kitty friend soon, so she isn’t so lonely. 🙂
I’m glad you actually think long and hard before getting a tattoo; a lot of people seem to not do that. They just get the ink and then, before they know it, they’ll regret it and it’s permanent.
I have to admit; I was surprised and a little too excited when I saw my name. I guess I’m not used to seeing my name all over the internet. 😛
Thank you so much!
I tend to love most insects and spiders, too! I got really excited when I saw a bush full of caterpillars yesterday. 😉
The thing which really confuses me is how people can get ink they don’t even really care about. It’s just a picture to them and doesn’t mean anything significant. I could NEVER imagine just walking in and choosing a picture from their album.
You’re welcome! I love reading your blog (even if I forget to comment!), so thank you for writing it. 😀
~A
I love owls & absolutely love the name “Boobook” and your description of him and your observations are beautiful! However, I have to agree with your husband, that I’d be afraid of having my fingers bitten off. 😦 (p.s. thank you *so much* for adding my blog to your “Favourite Reads.”)
Like many birds, the boobooks are named for their call. There are a few places online I’ve found that have some very good soundclips of their calls, so I will have to go and find them again! And you’re very welome, it’s always wonderful to come and read your blog and see all the lovely things you’re experiencing! 😀
~A