Eastern Screech Owl in the backyard of Turkey Run Park, Boone Bottoms Trail!

Описание: Hoot! Hoot! Hooooot All About It! 🗞️

Eastern Screech Owl Encounter in the backyard of Turkey Run Park, Boone Bottoms Trail!

Yesterday, while driving through Turkey Run Park and approaching the Boone Bottoms Trail area, I spotted my little buddy—the red morph Eastern Screech Owl—perched outside its cavity, observing the traffic. Excited, I parked my vehicle, grabbed my camera equipment, and made my way to the street.

As I stood on the side of the road, out of the way of traffic, the owl and I locked eyes. It was incredibly comfortable with me, allowing me to set up my camera. Just as I pointed my lens at the owl and turned on my camera, a massive dually truck roared down the street, speeding right toward us. The sound was deafening, like thunder, and I could feel the vibrations in my body. The noise startled both me and the owl, causing it to swiftly retreat into its cavity.

I was disappointed, but that’s how nature goes sometimes. While I waited, hoping the owl would return, a good friend of mine, Mr. Michael Montgomery, drove by. He stopped, surprised to see me, and said, “I can’t believe who I’m looking at—the great Lee Payne!” I shared the story of the owl with him, and he reassured me, “Oh, it’ll come back out because it’s you.” After a brief chat, he continued on his way.

As I stood there, I thought to myself that the owl probably wouldn’t return. Just as I was packing up to leave, a naturalist I often talk to drove by and asked if the owl had come out yet. I told him no, but I was about to leave. As we spoke, I glanced to my left and there it was—my friend, the red morph Eastern Screech Owl! I excitedly told the naturalist, “You brought us good luck; you made my buddy come out!” He was thrilled to witness such a marvelous moment.

Soon after, a passerby stopped to ask what I was looking at. I told him about the beautiful owl, and he jumped out of his car. I showed him the owl, and the amazement on his face was priceless. He shared that he had once missed the chance to see an owl and had always wanted to experience it. He thanked me for allowing him to be part of this moment, saying, “You just don’t know what this means to me. You have made my dream come true!” I replied that this is what it’s all about—sharing nature with one another.

Though I didn’t catch his name, I hope he sees this post so we can connect again. It’s always a pleasure to meet good people in the world. As I often say, it’s amazing how these birds bring us together.

Remember, the best is yet to come!