This Eastern Screech Owl, gray morph was a fun one to find today. I’m still in search for more Northern Saw-whet Owls this winter which is what lead me to find this owl today. As I’m walking around some large pines with no branches on the lower 6 feet of the tree I hear Black-capped Chickadees making a heck of a ruckus above. I look up into the tree I’m under and see nothing but a couple of Chickadees moving around. I moved on to a couple more of the large pines and saw nothing. Then I thought, I better double check that tree where all the action was. Looking up again into the tree, I see a Gray Squirrel running around. That’s sorta odd? Walking away from the tree I look back about 25 feet, a screech owl is watching me, enjoying some sun. It was a cold morning with temps at 20 degrees mid-morning, some wind at times but full sun that did bring in some warmth out of the wind. Image was taken on February 11, 2025.
Eastern Screech Owl, gray morph…
Cell phone pic – just enjoying the sun…
The owl is so tiny on this photo, but it is there, cell phone pic…
Truly a cool bird. Nice shot!
Love that face!!
And thanks for the perspective with the cell phone pic.
Has anyone figured out the heat energy gained from two hours in the sun and how it translates to “mice needed” for that small owl in mid winter.
… Something on the order of: spending energy to eat vs slowing down metabolism to not require that energy ..
Wonderful photos Jim!! Sadly, no Screech Owl for us this winter. We heard that Great Horned Owls are moving closer to our location, which is maybe why.