Читать книгу Shaped by Snow. Defending the Future of Winter онлайн

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I hold the keys out to Colin.

“I don’t want to stay here,” I say, then, after a moment’s hesitation, add, “I’m a little scared.”

“Fine by me,” he says, taking the keys, recognizing that he’ll be responsible for getting us safely out.

“The mud’s too thick to camp in anyway.”

The sun is setting as we climb back out of the campsite. Dark, dense clouds line every horizon, hovering over scarlet cliffs, but there’s a break in the clouds directly above us. The last of the sun’s rays graze the sky, golden and bright.

“Look!” Colin says suddenly, hitting the brakes and pointing to a telephone pole on the side of the road. There is a giant owl on the pole, iconic, tufted horns on its head. Another owl is in flight, enormous wings outstretched, the white plumage golden in the setting sun, wingtips dark. It flies at the one on the pole, extending sharply silhouetted talons. The owl on the pole rises in flight at the threat, great wings lifting the dense body into the air, talons extending in kind. They both disappear over the roof of the car.