After having hooted us derisively for so long, the great barred owl we've been searching the woods to see has finally decided to make himself available to our scrutiny.  As in years past, the male bird has begun perching on what appears to be a favourite branch of a favoured tree sitting over the main branch of the creek down in the ravine.  So that now, when we pass by that way, to automatically look up to see him perched there.  Often, he swivels his great head to appraise us, in our passing. 

With hot weather having descended, it has become dry and hot in the ravine too, although not nearly as hot as out on the street.  In the ravine, the forest maintains a steady, cool temperature, helped by the lofty green canopy above and the breeze that appears to have made its home in there of late.  The breeze helps to keep the mosquito population down, and the butterflies seem to think it's just right for their aerial displays.  We hear the pair of hawks circling above where they usually nest, year after year, though we've never seen their nest, much less the owls'.

Buttercups and daisies are in bright display, along with cowvetch, fleabane and hawkweed, all there in abundance, on the forest floor and the edge of the woods, providing a colourful display of wildflowers.  The bright red candles of the sumac have already begun to develop, as have the haws of the many hawthorn trees.  The bedding grasses have reached maturity and have begun to flower, releasing their heady perfume on the atmosphere.

It is a much-appreciated privilege for us to have such quick and easy access to the ravine, adding considerably to the pleasure of our everyday lives.