Category Archives: Typical Owls

While out birding the last couple of days I have come across 4 Eastern Screech Owls. These beautiful owls were all found in deciduous trees with the natural cavities facing to the south or southwest. It appeared they were all out in the cavity opening soaking up the warm sun with the nice warm December weather we are having. The 1st image is the Eastern Screech Owl, grey morph that has been seen almost regularly,  but not always at the Schlitz Audubon Nature Center in Milwaukee. The other 3 were also taken in Milwaukee County.

Eastern Screech Owl, grey morph #1 with blood on the bill from a recent meal at the Schlitz Audubon Nature Center

Eastern Screech Owl, red morph #2

Eastern Screech Owl, red morph #3

Eastern Screech Owl, red morph #4

Eastern Screech Owl, red morph #4

Birding Milwaukee County today I found 3 Eastern Screech Owls, a “Hat Trick”. They were all napping as it looked in the warm sun. One was at the Schlitz Audubon Nature Center, the other two were in Milwaukee County too. It was a gorgeous day with full sun, low winds, just felt like spring. Images were taken on December 17, 2018.

The three, Grey morph, Red morph, Red morph

Eastern Screech Owl, Grey Morph at the Schlitz Audubon Nature Center  — with blood on the bill tip! Must have just had a fresh kill…

Eastern Screech Owl, Red Morph

Nice to see this Eastern Screech Owl in Milwaukee County while out birding. The owl gave nice views but never opened its eyes while I was there. Just looking cozy up in a natural cavity. It was a beautiful morning out with plenty of sunshine and mild temps. Images were taken on December 10, 2018.

Eastern Screech Owl, red morph

I decided to make a run up to the Schlitz Audubon Nature Center this morning in search for any owl species. Walking a trail there I spotted this beautiful gray morph sound a sleep. It was a chilly 12 degrees when I left for birding but with full sun and no wind, it was a very pleasant day to be out. First owl of the season for me, it was nice to see one again. Images were taken on November 14, 2018.

A sleeping Eastern Screech Owl, gray morph…

At a distance…

While out birding I came across a Eastern Screech-Owl sitting in a natural cavity. The owl sat there not doing much but was keeping track of a couple of Grey Squirrels that caught its attention. I will say it is the year of the Eastern Screech-Owl, this is the 5th different one I have seen. It was another cool day with temps in the upper 50’s midday, with plenty of sun but with an east wind made for a chilly day for this time of year. Images were taken on April 29, 2018.

Eastern Screech-Owl resting peacefully in a natural cavity…

Eyes on a Grey Squirrel a tree away…

Looking out yonder…

Looking below at another Grey Squirrel…

Nice to see this Eastern Screech Owl in Milwaukee County. The owl came up from in the hole and gave nice views but never opened its eyes while I was there. Just looking cozy up in a natural cavity. It was a beautiful morning out with plenty of sunshine and mild temps. Images were taken on March 10, 2018.

Doing some birding today in Milwaukee County I came across a Eastern Screech Owl, gray phase. It was resting in a natural captivity. After a couple minutes I looked again, and it was gone, probably went back in the hole. Almost felt like spring with plenty of sunshine and the warm temps around 40, next to no wind, very pleasant. Images were taken on February 14, 2018.

This Red Phase Eastern Screech Owl was sleeping away in Milwaukee County this morning when found. In the pines, it blended right in. Images were taken on February 12, 2018

Eastern Screech Owl, red phase

A shot from a little farther back while it slept…

Birding along the lakefront in Milwaukee, one of the highlights was a Eastern Screech Owl, grey morph. Found in a spruce tree, giving nice views and just resting in the sun. It was a cold day, high of 24 maybe but nice sunny skies. Image was taken on January 17, 2018.