Story and photos by Joanie Christian

I had a very unusual experience a few months ago that very recently came full circle…the opportunity to both see and help save a very rare pure white leucistic great horned owl.

If you are interested in learning more about this modern day unicorn’s story, I wrote a two part series about the experience that has been published in the March and April 2024 editions of the North Columbia Monthly. The April edition has just gone out to newstands in NE WA today.

You can read the online version here:

Part 1, March issue

Part 2, April issue:

Thank you to the many people who were a part of the village’ who collectively helped save this absolutely incredible owl. You know who you are, and you were all vital to the final outcome. <3 This was an extraordinary experience I am not likely to witness again in my lifetime. I will always consider it a privilege and honor to have been, for just a short while, the ‘guardian of a unicorn’.

  • @[email protected]
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    27 months ago

    Yes, I have read it. It makes me happy when there are people out there who care, recognise that something could be going wrong and take action.

    • anon6789OP
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      27 months ago

      It was a nice story. I like when there’s a bit of background to go with these photos, let alone a feature.

      It’s easy to look at photos and see some of these animals as NPCs, but they’re all out there living their unique lives with some amazing stories. I like getting a window into their world.

      • @[email protected]
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        27 months ago

        You’re absolutely right. Beautiful pictures are one thing, but background information helps people to find an emotional connection to the subject. And while pictures might fade in your memory over time, a story can stay with you and touch you on a deeper level.