It was a warm and sunny day as I backed my truck up the driveway. I was eager to get in the house so that I could watch a football game that started without me. 

I have lived alone in this house for about four years, and I’ve notice that - I notice everything. If something is out of place or if it has been moved, it jumps right out at me. 

Here’s why I’m telling you this, as I stepped out of the truck something about a nearby palm tree caught my eye. Something was not right, not normal. Slowly approaching the tree I spotted a beautiful owl perched securely, sheltered by a thick canopy of leaves. He was no more than three feet over my head and he was still as still could be.

Carefully backing away I reached in the truck for my camera. After snapping a dozen or more shots I chanced that he’d stick around long enough for me to fetch a better camera. He kindly waited. The photo on this page came from the second round of shots.

He appears larger than he really was, my guess is that he stood no more than six inches tall. A birder friend identified him as an eastern screech owl. She mentioned that this owl has a “lovely call.”  

He hung around until dark, then poof he was gone. I never heard his call but laughingly I wish he’d come back, build a nest and move in. I don’t get many visitors that I care to photograph but this little guy is welcome to stop by anytime.