Kim and I have been hearing this Barred Owl (or one just like it) for years, and I finally spotted him today. He wasn’t 500 feet from our house, just behind us in the trees.

It sat there calmly as Jeannie and I made our way through the trail by our home (Jeannie’s favorite place to pee). I made the occasional clicking noise to get it’s attention. The smooth calculated way it swiveled its head to look in my direction was almost regal, and the look in its eyes seemed more judging than curious. I was obviously a lowly peasant marring its kingdom with my earthbound presence.

It let me pass only because my carcass would be too heavy to carry away.

I had only my cell phone on me, so here is what I captured.