I was collecting aquatic insects today at Lord Hill Park when a quartet of
Stellers Jays begin harassing something in the woods nearby. Figuring it
was a hawk or a Barred owl I peered up looking for a large shape. To my
surprise, the object of their complaints was a pygmy owl, which was perched
quite low in a cedar, almost eye level. The little owl was hardly any
bigger than the Jays. Maybe they were worried he would bring his big cousin
around. For the twelve thousandth time I wished I had a camera as the view
of the owl could not have been better.

Rob Sandelin
Naturalist, Writer, Teacher
Snohomish County