Got Him But They Didn't Get Me!

We have a burrowing owl in the neighborhood. They live in burrows, obviously, and they are not shy. If you approach them they screech at you and do a dance that I assume is supposed to be intimidating. Not so much to someone who is 50 times larger than the owl, but perhaps it works for other predators. Although had it swooped at me I would have run away whimpering.

I have seen him/her a few times but never had my camera handy. Well, yesterday, I caught him!

You can see the burrow in the center of the picture about 3/4 of the way up the hill.

S/he is none to happy with me approaching with my camera. I was rewarded with the screech and go away dance.
(Click on the picture to enlarge and get a good look at the owl)

Apparently my plan to drive without a license has made the rounds. Found these guys outside when I was leaving to go to Paul and Lori's for the Fourth. Luckily they were there for the scaliwags across the street (kids being obnoxious). I figured if most of the county's finest were across the street, it was my moment to move along.