The Remarkable Bond Between Carl Safina and Alfie the Owl

Carl Safina shares his deep and intimate relationship with Alfie, the screech owl. He talks about how he met Alfie when someone found her nearly dead as a baby owl. Safina took care of her and planned to release her into the wild, but unexpected delays caused her to stay longer. This led to a unique bond between Safina and Alfie. He describes their interactions, including flight and hunting training. He also discusses the courtship and breeding process between Alfie and her mate, as well as their parenting journey. COVID lockdown allowed Safina to closely observe these moments. Safina's experience with Alfie led him to explore Western culture's flawed relationship with nature and its emphasis on individualism and winning. He contrasts this with the interconnectedness seen in other cultures. Safina highlights the importance of community and sharing in those cultures. He also reflects on his own personal journey and the lessons he has learned from Alfie and his interactions with nature.