Sometimes, she’s thinking outside the box, too. This photo was taking in early January, before the oak lost its leaves. She wasn’t pleased with my cooing and taking her photo for all to admire.

An Eastern Screech Owl couple have been around the garden in recent weeks. I’ve spied them mating (once) and on a couple of videos, the pond wildlife camera featured one of of the owls, male or female this viewer has no clue, hunting rats. The female stays in the box some days, but not consistently, so I’m uncertain whether the box will be the nesting site or if it’s an occasional place to hang out for the day.

She’s in the box today, this freezing day. Blue Jays perch on the nearest branch and voice their disapproval with her presence. She sleeps, but sometimes stirs nervously when the jays are yelling at her.

I think this is a different couple than the pair that nested in here the previous three years. Their trills are different, the female is skittish, winging to her daytime sleeping spot before sunrise, rather than ‘Uptown Girl’ who enjoyed her time out of the box in the early mornings before sequestering in daylight hours.

I hope these two choose our box for their chicks and that the chicks fledge successfully.

I also hope the family eats some rats.