"Hooters..."

This is a journal post from December 20, 2013... the story is rather self-explanatory... anyway, I think I am going to purchase a really nice lens and start photographings... despite what you may think after seeing the first image in the post.

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Hooters

Now that I have your attention...

I heard quite a ruckus coming from my back porch this morning... I look out to see Blue Jays and Mockingbirds EVERYWHERE!!!

... and then I see this shape in one of my berry bushes...

HOLY COW!!!!

It seems that it is an Eastern Screech Owl...

You can read more about them HERE...   

Top to bottom, the owl can't be any more than 7 inches in length...

It seems that they are seldom seen during the day... 
so it makes me wonder if there is a pair nesting around here...

Also, most of the images that I can find of these birds have smaller tufts... 
so I am wondering if the erect tuft is due to agitation 
by the Jays or if it's designed to make the bird look bigger than it is...
which would also be a defensive stance.

How cool!!

~Jim~