Attack From Above...

I had to go meet Sophie near the mall so I decided to go on a peaceful walk by Capilano River.

I get on the trail and thought how nice it was. There was just enough light from the moon to let me see.

I started hearing these cries from the river...sounded like some bird in pain or something but as I got closer it got quiet.

Suddenly I see some bird flying in front of me and landing on a branch. I thought it was an owl so I pointed my flashlight at it. It was a beautiful big owl staring at me from a meter away. I looked at it for a bit, surprised it's not flying away and then I went on my way. I was thinking to myself how cool it was to see an owl from so close.

I look back to see if it's still visible on the tree when all of a sudden I see its dark wings just silhouetted against the moonlight heading straight for my face. I freaked out! I started waiving my arms up in the air, pointing my flashlight at it and it just veered off barely missing my arms. I couldn't believe how quiet it was. Had the moon not been where it was, I never would have known it was coming.

I kept walking thinking that it was interesting that it followed me. I wasn't really thinking it was attacking or anything but I kept looking back to see if it's coming again. As if materializing out of thin air, I suddenly see its dark wings heading for my head again. I again start flailing my arms and it just swoops by and lands on a branch.

At this point I'm really freaking out! This bird is out to get me. I start running, glancing back every so often and again I see it coming after me...I screamed this time and started running faster and it came after me for the last time before I managed to get out of the trees and reach some buildings and safety.

Needless to say, it has won its territory...I'm never walking on that trail at night ever again... or if I do, I'll wear a helmet or something...