The mercury has dropped and I awoke to frost on the roof of the truck…we all know what’s in store for use all soon enough. All though we’ll still have some enjoyable fall temps.
Never the less couldn’t help but think of Winter Owls.
Last season Snowy Owls where hit and miss with the numbers down and difficult to find…while Great Grays provided had a decent year of action.
Before getting serious about Winter Owls we’ll have to see how the Eagle migration in October works out this year.
It took mere seconds after I had muttered Wake-up, Wake-up friend Owl for him/her to open its eyes.
Could it be this little owl understood what I was asking it to do…don’t think so but I was glad to see this happen.
There’s nothing more boring than watching a sleeping owl…or like I’ve said before it’s like watching paint dry.
Eastern Screech-Owls being one of our smaller owls ( 8 in ) compared to the Great Gray (27 in ). Being nocturnal they tend to sleep away the day usually perched in a cavity opening. Their calls are described as a soft quavering whistle or whinny.
Other than the fact that they are so small their coloration definitely helps them blend into their surroundings and can be difficult to spot.
This encounter has only been the 4th time I’ve been able photograph one of these small owls…hopefully they will stick around.