Today was a FIASCO. I had a laterthanusual start, which didn’t help. But it was worth it to have a call with my bestie Steph. I saw that a route I was interested in was going to have a high of 70 degrees, per AllTrails. Which seemed much better for Naturing than the quite low 60s round SF. But was I wrong to trust AllTrails’s weather forecast? YES. YES, I WAS.

I got all the way up to the Rock Spring trailhead on Mt. Tam. To find that it was certainly NOT anywhere NEAR 70 degrees. It was about the same as SF. And windy…

I sat in my car. Looking at the weather around me. And after being in constant wind most of the day yesterday at Tunnel Tops for Pollinator Day (which went FANTASTIC, by the by!), I just couldn’t. Wind AND cold. No insects. No butterflies. Few birds. And I was so not dressed for this weather. UGH.

So I decided on a Plan B. And headed to the Redwood Creek Trail. Which was a touch warmer and a touch less windy. But the trailhead was overgrown. And my intense fear of TICKS made me pause. Then give up on that plan.

Plan C. Maybe just heading back and going to see how those Three Little Owlets are doing at the Disc Golf Course in GGPark? It was getting late to head anywhere else that MIGHT not be as cold or windy…

But SF was becoming ENGORGED by Karl the Fog upon my return. Naturing was looking pretty impossible.

I really should’ve just gone South today.

I decided to try for one quick and seemingly easy thing. As I made my way through GGPark, I happened to spot a COYOTE off the side of the road. In dry grasses, so it was camouflaged perfectly. Preening. I had a quick idea to turn around, pull over, and maybe see it a bit better. But it would have been tough. I would’ve likely scared it off. Ah, well. But, COYOTE!

I had seen iNat observations of a Barn Owl over in the 30something Avenues somewhat recentlyish. And Ren confirmed having seen it. So I thought this might be the perfect random time to try such a thing.

And, THERE IT WAS. Tucked away in the tree cavity of a Monterey Pine. Practically right on the sidewalk of MLK. Deep in there. Dozing. And even rocking a little, side to side.

!!!

My photos aren’t great, but it was UTTERLY DELIGHTFUL to be able to 1) see it without obstruction, and 2) see it with such ease. And. How can you look at that face and not fall in love??

I approached the tree, scanning the ground below for any pellet evidence. And, HOOBOY. There were TONS of pellets!! And plenty of small bones strewn throughout. These pellets really look different from Great Horned Owl pellets. These were light in color. Like a tan color, compared to dark gray/gray of a GHO. They also seemed smaller. Does the color indicate they eat (generally) different things?

As I was standing on the sidewalk, looking up at the Owl, a man came jogging up to me and asked, “Is she there?” To which, I said, “Yep!” He asked if I got any good photos. After telling him I got a couple, he said to text them to him. As he only had gotten one good one before. I told him that there’d be plenty of much better photos of this Barn Owl on iNaturalist. Which is true. And as I wasn’t about to share my number with a total stranger, owl fan or not, that was all I was willing to do.

He replied, “Great!” He patted me on the shoulder as he resumed jogging, saying “Keep up the good work!”

My visit was done. The Owl was not waking up anytime soon. Especially as it hadn’t flinched one bit when a nearby Red-shouldered Hawk started crying as it escaped from a Common Raven pursuing it.

On my walk back, I noticed an incredibly PINK California Buckeye in bloom near my car. Huh! Never seen them that color before!

And I reflected on the stranger’s comment to me. To keep up the good work. Of noticing Owls, I guess? Documenting them? Adoring them? No problem, Sir. I do what I can.