Cuyahoga owl night

I met a friend at the Ledges parking area just before sunset and we walked out to a clearing he’s found to be reliable for Eastern Screech-Owls and Barred Owls. I will say up front: we did not call in the owls. We listened.

At about 7:20 PM a Screech-Owl started its descending whinny from the dark. Maybe ten minutes later a second, a little closer, a lower pitch. Then the Barred Owl we’d been hoping for — that full “who cooks for you” call — from the ravine side.

We sat quiet for another half hour. The Screech moved close enough that I could pick up the shape on a low oak with binoculars. I lifted the camera slowly, set to a crazy-high ISO, and got one blurry shape that says “owl” if you squint. I’m keeping it.

The Barred owl came in closer for a minute to check us out — that kind of swooping investigation they’ll do — and I got a rear-end shot as it went over. Good enough. I’m not going to light up an owl.

Walking back we heard a Great Horned Owl farther away. Three species in one sit. My friend has been at this for years and he said it was a good night. I’ll take his word for that.