On my way home from working in Dekaln tonight, I saw a short-eared owl.  It flew right in front of my car as I was driving south down Il 23.  I was just north of county line road when I saw it.  This is in the same general area that I saw one 3 years ago when I worked in Leland just a couple miles away.  Funny thing is, I was searching for inspiration about what to post about tonight when this happens.  Life is good.

February 18th there will be an auction to benefit Willowbrook Wildlife Haven in Glen Ellyn.  The money raised from this benefit will go to purchasing some new cages for there outside exhibits.  The eastern screech owl pictured here is named Otis.  He has a damaged wing and cannot be returned to the wild.  He stays on exhibit as an educational bird.  My wife is doing a colored pencil drawing of him which will be auctioned off.  I have asked one of the staff members if they could use any additional items for the auction, like some of my seed or native plant pictures, and I should be getting a response back soon.

Living in the country sure allows for some great winter sightings.  There was a northern shrike perched on a bush along 44th road as I was coming home today.  I have been keeping my eyes open when I travel out in these area, as I had seen one in this area a few years ago.