By Elisabeth Egan
Dec. 24, 2024

For the most part, though, Flaco was the glue that bonded Emery and Lei. Encounters with him became quieter, more intimate, as he became a Manhattan regular and crowds dispersed. The two of them watched Flaco from a respectful distance, enjoying both the peace and thrill of being in the presence of a wild animal. They liked to think he recognized them.

Emery and Lei self-published “Finding Flaco” with the help of a Kickstarter campaign that raised almost $58,000. A portion of the proceeds will go to causes that benefit birds and other wildlife.

The introduction is by Ed Shanahan, who covered Flaco’s life and death for The Times. “Some saw him as an underdog, others, as an immigrant, still others as an outlaw,” Shanahan writes. “More than a few, I imagine, saw him as all those things rolled into one.”

The last time Emery and Lei saw Flaco together, they were on a friend’s rooftop on West 86th Street. With a pigeon clamped firmly in his talons, Flaco flew from a nearby water tower to a spot directly above Emery and Lei. There he lingered, closer than he’d ever been, hooting. He peered down at them between bursts of song.

“It was magical,” Emery said. “I’ll never forget that.”

She paused, too choked up to continue, then added, “He looked so peaceful and happy. We shared that moment with each other.”

Lei said, “It was almost like he was saying hello. And goodbye.”

https://www.nytimes.com/2024/12/24/books/review/finding-flaco-owl-photo-book.html