The Great Backyard Bird Count...

is happening this weekend. John and I have taken part in that for several years. We identify and count the birds in our yard, then usually take a drive to the dike or the wetlands to see some raptors and waterfowl. On our drive on the dike today, just before sunset, we saw this Short-eared Owl (Asio flammeus). He was very co-operative with the photo shoot, and kept posing on the post.
The extra is my Flower Friday wanna-be, had I not seen the owl. It's a Japanese Quince blossom. I brought some branches inside to force blooms and leaves.