This took place just now, on 21 Sept. 2010 between 7:00PM and 7:18PM. I went out to see if I could watch Olive leave for the night. I had seen her this morning, but didn't see her on my later Owl Check. At 7PM, I checked all the trees, sans binocs, but saw no one. At about 7:10, I was walking very slowly back towards the edge of the wall, when I heard the soft trill of a Western Screech Owl. It seemed as though the owl was in tree #2, right above me. I was standing next to #3. I waited. I very quietly moved to #2 and leaned up against it, with my back on the trunk. The owl trilled once again, then I saw movement. From the top of #2, the owl flew to #5 and sat on the lowest branch, with her back to me. I silently (to me) approached and stopped at #3, about 15' from where she sat. She bobbed a bit and flew to the fence. I heard her land on the fence and I walked extremely slowly and quietly to #4. She sat for a few moments - maybe one minute - bobbed a bit and flew out of my sight.
I had been mourning the loss of our owls, understanding that they must move on, but missing them acutely. Seeing Olive - or the owl I'm assuming to be Olive - was so reassuring, so wonderful that I will continue checking for her, or any other owl, in the redwoods of our yard as often as I can.
