[Birdtalk] Sneaky lil' Screech-Owl pics

[Tim Avery]

So I headed back over to Parley's Gulch this evening hoping to photograph the
Western Screech-Owl.  Again, as with last time, the bird was no where in sight.
 I crossed the creek and did an obligatory tree scratch beneath the hole...
nothing.  So I crossed back and walked around for about an hour with no luck. 
I did a pygmy-owl call and pissed off the Steller's Jays.  Imitated a
Screech-Owl and set off the chickadees... but no owl...  Then I started to
pish, and in came a Steller's Jay, then 2, then 3, then 4, and looking across
the river, what do I see just peaking out the hole...

http://timaverybirding.com/photos/octo07/wsow_07.jpg

The jays mobbed around the cavity for 2-3 minutes before they headed off.  I
then started taking some pictures...

http://timaverybirding.com/photos/octo07/wsow_01.jpg
http://timaverybirding.com/photos/octo07/wsow_02.jpg
http://timaverybirding.com/photos/octo07/wsow_03.jpg
http://timaverybirding.com/photos/octo07/wsow_04.jpg
http://timaverybirding.com/photos/octo07/wsow_05.jpg
http://timaverybirding.com/photos/octo07/wsow_06.jpg

Cooperative little bird, and apparently it didn't care about the scratching on
the tree, which was quite odd, as usually the tiny owls will peak out and down
at the sound of scratching...

I was there between 5:00 - 6:45pm.

Also, while watching the owl, an AMERICAN DIPPER came flying down the creek,
calling, and out of sight.  I needed a shot for the year, so took off after it,
but couldn't find it... A little Houdini!

Cheers

Tim
Salt Lake City, UT
tanager at timaverybirding.com
http://www.timaverybirding.com
http://www.timavery.com