What Rick Morris has learned about local owls thanks to his owl tours

Emails Menlo Park resident, photographer and bird expert Rick Morris:

“I just completed my 65th Owl tour last evening and have been organizing and leading owl tours since my first owl tour on April 30, 2024. I’ve met many wonderful people in our neighborhoods and here are some of the things I’ve observed and learned about the owls along the way:

• The owls really bring the community together. All of the images of the owls in this post are from nearby neighborhoods, and all of the people in these neighborhoods have been super friendly and welcoming.

• Many people tell me they hear owls in the evening but very few people have actually had the opportunity to observe owls, mainly because the owls get vocal in the evening when it is dark outside. Myself included, as I can hear the great horned owls in my backyard hooting while I lay in bed during the night. I’ve gone outside, but it’s too dark and they are too high in the trees to see them.
• All owls will take off from their resting spot approximately 30 minutes after sunset. And when they take off, they may land in a nearby tree to rest and stretch out before going out to hunt for their breakfast. Although it is very dark by this time, it creates a great opportunity to capture images of these beautiful creatures.

If you would like to join me for an early evening owl tour, please reach out to me at inthewildwithrick@gmail.com for more info and pricing.

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Photos by Rick Morris (c) 2025

Top photo is of Barn Owl; second photo is Western Screech Owl resting in Menlo Park; third photo Western Screech Owl in a tree in neighboring city