Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree
Last week the massive Christmas tree for 2020 was installed at the Rockefeller Center in deepest, darkest New York City. It is about 75 feet tall, but initially got less respect than the meagre Charlie Brown tree from the Christmas special. Critics were quick to point out how lopsided it was, not waiting long enough for it to spread out after being transported from upstate New York.
Then came the news of the "baby" owl which had been found in the branches, apparently having traveled with the tree from its forest location. This isn't a fledgling at all but rather a mature male Saw Whet owl, a small species which occurs in New York state and on this side of Lake Ontario as well. His journey may have been improbable and dangerous but he was safely apprehended and returned to a more hospitable environment.
Saw Whet Owl -- Rockefeller Center
As it turns out, there has been another celebrity owl in NYC lately, a Barred owl which has birders swarming -- flocking? --through Central Park in search of a glimpse. We've seen Barred owls locally and heard them as well, with their distinctive "who cooks for you?" call.We humans are becoming increasingly urbanized and disconnected from the ecosystems which are vital to our survival. So owls become rarities in our midst, and we forget that trees are habitat, not just ornamental. The Rockefeller Center Christmas tree was obviously habitat for birds before its re-purposing, and perhaps it should have stayed that way.
I notice that its called a Christmas tree in news stories, rather than a holiday tree. As Christians we celebrate that God became human, entered our habitat for the healing and redemption of all that lives, including winged beings. Was there an owl in the vicinity of Christ's Nativity? There are ten owl species in the land of Jesus' birth, so you never know.
Barred Owl -- Central Park, New York City
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