I was hoping that the carpal mark would be a deciding factor but both species
have the mark.

I keep realizing that I have never seen a Long-earred Owl flying. I have only
seen it roosting in trees. Somewhere in my papers I have an article that
explained how a group of four species of owls that shared an area did not
impose on each other by the different ways they hunted. An explanation of
Gauss's principle. I remember that when they got to the Long-earred Owl they
mentioned that it hunted mainly in the very dark part of the night.
They also said that Barn Owls were capable of feeding at different times of
the dusk or night depending on who was also feeding and when. But thats
another story.

The bird in this photo started feeding while it was fairly light out.

Jim