Arapahoe Cty Owl Question

[Becky Campbell]

Cobirders,

I just had a close encounter with a medium-sized owl just outside my front door.  It was perched on a planter slightly less than 20 feet away.  We had about a two minute stare at one another.  It had a tawny longish looking facial disk, yellow eyes, longish and very vertical ear tufts, with dark barring and streaking (like little squares).  Measuring the visualized height later with a ruler, I think it had to be slightly longer than 12".  Looked longer when it flew.  Definitely not Great-Horned size.  Could this be a Long-eared Owl?

Becky Campbell

Just so. of Cherry Creek State Park

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Arapahoe County, CO