BARRED OWL

Just when the wildlife was getting a break from the daily appearance of the Lynx, this shows up. I was wondering what was giving the Ruffed Grouse the willies...feathers up and tail flicking and cowering under the spruce.

 I looked up.

Way up in a poplar -

Barred Owl
Strix varia

How ironic.  The Barred Owl Habitat is : moist woods
Today, January 11, 2013 it is raining!

"Often seen by day, particularly if cloudy"  Fits to a tee.

"Yellow bill and dark eyes"

It stayed about fifteen minutes and then left. Then all the birds returned to the feeders, too.