So, I was just minding my business trying to clean out the closet and got caught up reviewing old photos. Nothing new there but there was a strange series of calls coming from the front of the house. Soon, I could make out Blue Jays making alarm calls. I grabbed the binoculars and rushed outside.
Jays were calling loudly. Gnatcatchers were flying in to add their cries. Cardinals swooped in, chipping wildly. An unidentified warbler hovered on the far side of the bushes. Something had to be in there. I circled around and searched. Eventually I found the subject of their distress.
An Eastern Screech Owl! I have posted shots of them before but those were all at night. They are much harder to find resting during the day. Unless you can get some help from the local birds.
The bush is so tangled with branches that it was very difficult to get any clear shots but I kept trying.
One last shot as my oldest son arrived and I showed him our new guest. The owl is actually looking at him.
The owl stayed in the bush for a couple of hours. I could see its shadowy shape tucked in between the branches from inside the house. By the time I headed out for groceries just before dark I noticed it had left.
Off to find food like me, no doubt.
