Owl in the Yard

The Eastern Screech-Owl is a relatively small owl of eastern woodlands. They are fairly common where I live and I see them from time to time. Last night while outside I heard a screech-owl calling from a small woodlot behind my house. I could not locate the bird at all and it didn't help that he quit calling every time I would head his way.

Today while going out to get the mail I saw a couple nuthatches and a robin near a tree. They sounded distressed. I figured it must be the owl that I head the night before. The tree has a spot where an owl could nest or roost so I went up and checked it out.
I got up next to the tree and out pops an owl. I went inside to get the camera but when I came back out it was gone. He must have went back inside the hole. By this time the goldfinches showed up and the birds were everywhere in the trees above looking to see what was the matter. Eventually I gave up trying to find him since I had a test to get back to. I can't wait to find out if they are nesting. This was a nice surprise to raise my spirit during a long week of test-taking.

Other things of note in my yard today was a singing Harris's Sparrow and the first butterfly of the year.

Screech Owl

Late this afternoon while taking my dogs outside I spotted an Eastern Screech-Owl sitting rather low in a tree near our house. I went inside as soon as I spotted it to get my camera and quickly made my way back outside. He was still perched in the tree and allowed close approach. I got lots of photos of him and he was very cooperative and even stuck around for my parents. The cold air and breezy conditions made my fingers numb while I was taking the pictures. I couldn't even feel them at all and I had a hard time using them after a while because the were so cold. This was a nice end to the rather boring day I had. When it got dark he eventually flew off looking for a new place to hunt. Hopefully he will stick around to nest next spring.