Birders Passing In The Night

I don’t think I can count hearing the spotted owl on Saturday’s trip. At dusk we went on a two-mile circuit through this nature preserve in Placer County. Kevin who was leading us was doing his best spotted owl imitation and losing his voice in the process. About halfway through, Kevin was convinced he heard one calling in response, and we continued on, past some very fragrant western azaleas. Finally I heard the bird as well, calling faintly to the left and upslope. We walked quietly through the darkening forest, and I remarked to Kevin that the owl was probably back at the parking lot. We emerged up on the dirt road to hear the owl calling close by. Except when we walked on, it turned out there were two cars in the parking lot, rather than just ours. Outside of the second car was another birder, Stan, who seemed to recognize Kevin. Stan had been, naturally enough, trying to call in the owl himself.