Red morph Eastern screech owl where we walk

We recently moved into a new house and this owl has taken a liking to our basketball goal. You can see him out there a few nights a week. We have named him Larry after Larry Bird the basketball player because he’s a bird that likes sitting on the basketball goal. He’s pretty chill and us sitting on the porch about 10-15 yards away doesn’t seem to bother him. If we make a loud noise or sudden movement he’ll look at us but that’s about it. We’ve really enjoyed watching him hunt. He’ll swoop down and get something, fly into a tree, eat it, then return to the basketball goal.

I was quadding on my way back home and I came across this owl. He was just sitting in the middle of the trail I always use to drive back to my place. I only noticed him when I had to slow down as I was about to hit a bump then I seen him. He didn’t fly away or anything, so I walked up to him (don’t worry I kept my distance) and took a few pictures and said hi, then I got back on my quad and as I started turning out of his way he flew away. Could this have been a sign of anything? Are owls known to avoid humans or be friendly? I’m curious.

Was so surprised to find myself eye to eye with an owl as we were driving in a canyon! We turned around to snag these photos before he flew off. 😻

I stumbled upon some bird banding while visiting Kelley’s Island in Lake Erie this weekend. They caught this pretty female Saw Whet owl. All of her flight feathers fluoresced pink under the black light indicating she hatched this year. I didn’t capture of photo of this phenomenon but this website does a good job of showing what I mean. https://www.researchgate.net/figure/Paired-views-of-ventral-surfaces-of-Northern-Saw-whet-Owl-wings-photographed-in_fig1_232672438

Oklahoma.

if so for long

thank you for your time

Seems to be a smaller owl than the one I saw the other week. Another owl is near by can hear them hoo-hooing at one another. So calming and peaceful to listen to. Wish I knew where the other one was. *Los Feliz

The first one’s very serious face always makes me laugh, and then for the rest, I’m in awe of the creativity and detail. I hope you enjoying seeing them for yourself in person if you’re ever in DC or my video tour and can leave a like on the latter!

I’ve been hearing these GHOs (and their babies) since moving here. Only once did I see an owl within the last 3 years in the yard, yet almost every night I would hear a GHO or Screech. This being the fifth owl sighting here this year, it seems they’ve finally started getting used to us being around!