My neighborhood had a campfire potluck in our greenbelt campground
yesterday. Bunch of people, chatting and eating around the fire when off in
the distance a Barred asked us who cooked for you. I asked it back, in my
best imitation owl voice and the two of us talked back and forth a bit.
Then there was a dark shadow and the owl joined us at the party, landing
over our heads and examining this collection of people and apparently very
interested in the fire itself. The owl became a party game, find the hidden
guest. Ohhh, so THAT's who's been making all that noise at night...was the
common response.

Rob Sandelin
Naturalist, Writer, Teacher
Snohomish County