[EBB Sightings] Follow the jays

While hiking last evening at about 7:45 at the far northwestern end of 
Wildcat Canyon, my son and I had a great surprise.
We had already noticed that gophers kept popping up their heads as we 
walked by so it must have been their time to come up for air. Somebody 
else noticed.

We reached the fenceline which separates the privately-owned tree 
plantation of pines and eucalyptus from the parkland (you can see that 
bunch of trees from all over the East Bay, on the ridgeline). For those 
who specifically hike there, I am talking about the place where there 
is a double fence, an old collapsed one and a newer one. Near the 
northeastern edge of the park limit, there are two gates, the new 
Powder River (painted green) with the old lumber gate behind it. My 
son, ever on the watch for snakes, his current preoccupation, convinced 
me to head uphill, towards the fence created corner of the park.

Well, I heard a  jay screeching and thought, "he is warning the forest 
of our approach." Walked about 20 feet uphill, looked for the jay, and 
there was a beautful young Great Horned Owl, looking right at me, about 
15 feet up in a pine tree, with the jay doing his best to harass it. I 
got a few feet closer with my binocs and had a good long look, 
including watching him hoot as I listened. Thrilling. I realized that, 
from his position, he had a great view of a gopher-infested embankment, 
which faces the fence at that spot. He finally flew a few feet away, 
with the jay in pursuit and I got another look and then he flew 
probably 50 feet away, out of my sight, but I still could hear the jay 
squawking so I knew he was still nearby. I have heard owls many times 
in my life, but rarely had such a good view, especially while it was 
still light.

So follow the jays, and sometimes you'll get a treat.