We went out to the Patuxent Wildlife Research Center in Laurel, Maryland, not far from the District. It was pleasant walking around the extensive grounds, although the only birds we saw were some geese in their lake, ducks way off in the distance, and a kestrel and this Eastern screech owl in the headquarters.

The handler said the problem with her left eye was due to a previously sustained injury. We never did hear the owl “screech,” just make some clicking sound all the time.

The photographic sherpa, posted earlier: