I canceled lunch with a friend this morning after waking up with a nasty cold, then I scanned the online forum for birders in Oregon (OBOL) and was jolted into action by what I interpreted as a report of a Long-Eared Owl in a park just twenty miles from home. 

I struck out or dipped as birders say on what would have been my first encounter with a LONG-EARED OWL but I enjoyed meeting a lot friendly people, young and old, curious about the big bird in the tree while Remy roamed free in one of the best (off-leash) parks in the Portland Metropolitan Area! 

We were lucky to get a brief glimpse of the owl's nictitating membrane (or translucent eyelid) that is drawn across the eye for protection and to moisten it while maintaining vision.

It was a great day - I hope you enjoy the images: