Red Morph Screech Owl on Natural Nest Cavity

Got a tip of a Red Morph Screech Owl nest cavity up at Platter, Oklahoma – about 3-4 hours round trip depend of the 75N hectic traffic presently in heavy construction. I went with friend of mine from Louisiana and located the nest on the first trip but no owl. We waited, returned the next day, and again – no owl!

While Screech owl is fairly common but hard to find one in natural cavity likes in this location as the light lit the stage up in gorgeous evening.

Most screech owls have taken up birder’s friendly owl house, but an artificial nest is not my cup of tea. I’m particular. So a good tree cavity like this is hard to come by. On a quick look, both ends of the trunk are parallel in focus plane and the background grow vividly during prime time without shadow cast on the trunk and subject. Furthermore. the scene lit up evenly – both front and background. Boy, i want this owl! and i want it bad!

But without knowing the owl has left the cavity and the long journey for an answer is a tall order.

That didn’t stop me and persistence paid off on my 5th trip! Thanks goodness the gas price has tanked 2 bucks a pop! It was beautiful. I waited till the prime time, snapped a few then hit Hagerman NWR which is 30 minutes away and spot two pairs of barred owls.

So one screech owl, two pair of Barred Owls in two States is pretty sweet, especially on a Valentine Evening.