Every time we walk into our barn the first thing we do is look for Screech, even though he hasn’t visited since last year. Last Saturday, we were tickled to see him ‘peeking’ out of his favorite cubby hole.
We hadn’t seen Screech since last year. We thought he left to find another place to live because a guy got greedy and cut down several acres of trees in the woods near our home. (Yes, I know the guy owns the land and it’s his right to log it off, but it doesn’t change our being unhappy about it…)
We figure Screech and his Mrs. nested each year in that batch of woods. The area looks so bare and treeless with huge stumps and limbs laying dying and scattered around. We were sad to think that we may never see Screech again.
*I apologize for the sad quality of these photos. I didn’t use a flash because I was afraid I’d frighten Screech. I took probably a dozen photos and only a couple of ones turned out clear enough to tell that Screech is an owl. I used a photo edtitor to try and clean the photos up. I made crops out of the original photos for the close-ups… 
Screech wasn’t in the barn Sunday. We’re sad he didn’t stay. My husband says that Screech is probably testing out places to visit while hunting and maybe sleep this winter. I figure he’s right. Screech must be quite traumatized from the destruction of his woodland home. He may even be testing our barn to see if it’s still safe or if it too is going to be taken away from him. Bless his heart and bless all the other critters who suffered the trauma and loss of the woodlands.
We’re happy that at least for an afternoon, we got to see Screech again and know he’s still surviving.
Wishing you all a wonderful wildlife Wednesday!
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Joys Of Creating 
Aw, I’m glad he returned to let you know he’s okay. I hope he’ll find a place to nest, and will be back to visit you more in the future!
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Thanks Dianna
I hope he stays around. In years past, We liked knowing that he was there eating the rodents and creepy things. I’ll keep ya’ll posted and hopefully can get a new clearer photo if he comes back. 🙂
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PS. I love your new header!
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Thanks Dianna
I really like my napping squirrel. It was so cute to see. I wish I could catch one napping again someday. 🙂
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That is so special that he came back 🙂
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Thanks Laura
He’s a special critter, that’s for sure. 🙂
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This made me remember, when I was a little girl, there was a screech owl that kept bumping into the window one night, attracted by the lamp light. Of course it frightened me! I have always thought their screeching call is eerie. 🙂 We rarely hear them anymore.
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Thanks for sharing your memory Charlotte
I agree the screeching sound they make is quite unsettling and makes the senses go on alert. I can’t imagine the jitters that it’d cause from one banging into the window. Creepy-time for sure. 🙂
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And I thought I was lucky to see a hedgehog in my garden! Screech is so beautiful. I hope he returns regularly. Maybe you could put up a beating box if that type of owl uses them.
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Thanks SBTS
Hedge Hogs are pretty neat critters to see too. I enjoy seeing all sorts if natures flora and fauna. I’m going to give some thought to putting up a nesting box. Thanks for the suggestion. 🙂
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I’m glad he found his space in your barn. Hopefully he’ll be back. Nor do I like the loss of trees.
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Thanks Patti
I feel honored that he feels safe enough to visit and rest awhile. 🙂
The loss of the trees. It’s a sad sad part of life. 😦
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