Yesterday an individual informed me that they looked for the Eastern Screech Owl along the Alum Creek Park South in Westerville but they were unsuccessful. They didn't know whether they couldn't spot it due to the poor light or if the owl just wasn't there. After spending most of the last two days at Highbanks Metro Park assisting with the Preschool Programs, I left the park early this afternoon for an allergist appointment. This time of year I enjoy the birds but the trees lock and load my sinuses. After the allergist stating "yes, you're still as allergic to trees as ever," I took a route home that brought me to Alum Creek Park South. As I walked to the steel bridge I picked up my FOY Rough-winged Swallow at the small lake. I approached the bridge from the west and as soon as I reached it, there was the Rufous Eastern Screech Owl sitting at the far east end of the bridge completely in the sunlight catching some rays. With the afternoon sun in the west it had found the exact location that provided it with the maximum sun. This was the best view I have had of this little character and it showed the color to its best advantage. Then as I was walking back to the car and peeking at knotholes much to my surprise I spotted a second Screech Owl, this one in the gray morf. The gray individual was on the edge of a cavity in a beech tree about 50 to 60 feet off the trail. Nothing remarkable to use as a landmark to describe the location. Is this a mated pair? Is there another chapter to come in this story? I hope so. It would be a good gift for the Ohio Breeding Bird Atlas if it can be confirmed. Charlie Bombaci ______________________________________________________________________ Ohio-birds mailing list, a service of the Ohio Ornithological Society. Our thanks to Miami University for hosting this mailing list. Additional discussions can be found in our forums, at www.ohiobirds.org/forum/. You can join or leave the list, or change your options, at: http://listserv.muohio.edu/scripts/wa.exe?LIST=OHIO-BIRDS Send questions or comments about the list to: [log in to unmask]