Overture Downs what were you expecting?

When the owls head snapped around, Riggs froze, his own eyes widening in surprise. He shifted, ever so slightly, to make sure he was prepared to reverse quickly if he needed to. Other than that, however, he did not move. 

Suddenly, the owl expanded her wings and lifted herself off the ground. Riggs backtracked quickly several yards, fearing the bird would come at him. He really didn't have any experience up close with birds. He had watched a falcon once pick up a rabbit in its large talons, and then rip its fur out with the beak, bit by bit. That was enough to tell him they were predators, not prey, and to not underestimate them. 

He watched keenly as the owl settled on the branch. He figure she would find safety in a high branch and closer to the trunk. Instead, she came closer to the edge of the low-lying branch. Riggs cautiously moved forward, his steps slow and deliberate, so the owl would be able to anticipate his next move. He didn't want to scare her, or give her any reason to attack him. 

He came to a stop a few feet from the branch and sat back on his haunches, his eyes gazing up into her blue orbs. She cocked her head to the side, and he mimicked her, his ears perked. It seemed he was not going to be attacked, so he relaxed a bit. Hello, he offered. My name is Riggs. What's yours? He assumed she could speak the same as he did.