Long ago, MinnStf had a picnic meeting at Wirth Park, and at dusk David Crawford took us for a walk in the Eloise Butler Wildflower Garden. The garden closes half an hour before dusk; I don't know if he was working there then or just had an in. But he led us stealthily along the steep trails, identifying the occasional moth or night bird's call. My primary memory is of his stopping and hushing us with a hand motion, and then turning his red light on a little screech owl sitting on a branch at head height, preening itself. It eventually got huffy and left, but I'd never seen one at all, let alone so close.

I was sorry to miss the walk you went on, but hadn't gathered that David does them regularly.

P.