Thanks all

When it is still over 90F, the humidity is high, the sun is intense and it is after 7pm it is not a good day to do anything outside. You might as well open a window and take pictures. I have a very tolerant and lovely wife.

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You got me curious so I was looking a bit ago. and it looks a lot like an adult grey morph screech owl. The Morph's seem to have a high ridge of tufts instead of the rounded for the most part.
From Audubon web site.
https://www.audubon.org/field-guide/bird/eastern-screech-owl#photo4

Awe ... bet that is a sweet dog. Lovely image.

Wow love it, I am jealous! One of those "wished I had done that images". My wife is a gardener and has several flowers planted to try and draw them. Now she has had them planted for several years and we see one only rarely.

I like it.

I use both. I like to use a prime at times. Use mostly zooms though. Using good zooms means sharpness has little to do with it. In today world not sure you could tell the difference between a good zooms versus a good prime. Most of the time it will be a perspective, situation or convenience based decision.

Another shameless plug. Come in October and meet him in person. Would love to me you.

Hey, since you travel you might want to in WV this fall (or spring). In October the Birds of workshop has multiple owls among other birds. It is a great time,day of talking and getting up close to some wonderful who take care of injuries birds as their life's passion. The fall workshop is better for pictures because of the tree colors.

Well to be honest I do cheat some. I have feeders set up in a few spots. If they get used to you being there (meaning on a regular basis) at reasonable distance they settle down. Also I use something as a buffer so fast movement isn't so scary. It doesn't have to be much, sitting beside a bush works (fold able chair is nice too). I also have a feeder set up by a window of the house. I can sit there when being lazy. Not much better than sitting by a window drinking coffee and watching little birds. Unless it is getting some pictures too, the sun sets at about a 45 degree angle so some great backlight as a bonus.

I thought they had one a bit bigger but it could be a Screech owl with it's ears back. It took some looking but this is the only other one I have similar. In the others the ears are up. Now right up front I will admit to not seeing colors all that well. But all the images I have are similar.

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No not a Screech Owl. I will have to check, it might be on thier website. I have several shots of a couple Screech Owls. This is bigger than them and the ears are different.

We have some massive old oaks on the edge of our yard (about 2 acres). It is my wife's old home place. She remembers having a swing in one as a youngster (and we aren't young). Her dad said a biologist told him they they may be over 400 years old. There are a few still left but lighting has gotten some the last few years.

To old and slow for BIF. These are actually from a last fall workshop. I have been attending for a number of years. The fee goes 100% into care for the birds. They have bird vets that heal those they can. Those they can't (like and one with a bad eye or with a bad wing) they try to use as ambassadors. There are several of these places around. They are worth while and you can get shot you would never get otherwise and meet some of the same people year after year.
Shameless plug...The hardest part is searching for angles. If you find yourself coming to WV try to come for one of the semiannual workshops. Usually April and October. Three Rivers Avian Center... http://www.tracwv.org/

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Thanks... Birds are my favorite, well flowers too, oh and landscapes. And creeks with water falls, and ...
oh well...