Here's a story from a month ago, give or take a bit.
 

I was walking around Lone Lake without a camera (which is almost always a mistake).  I came across a nice couple who were looking at some trees.  When I asked why, they quietly pointed to a barred owl, which soon flew away.  They mentioned that they had seen the same one in that same tree the past several days, so I resolved to come back with my camera.
 

The next day, or maybe it was the one after that, I went back and, sure enough, there was an owl sitting in the same tree.  It was looking away from me, but I started taking some pictures anyway.  This must have gotten its attention, since it lazily looked around to see what was causing the very quiet clicking sound (that being the shutter).
 

Barred Owl

So, I continue shooting and shortly someone else comes along the path.  I quietly motion towards the owl and point.  They then point out that they hadn't noticed that one, but instead had seen the one much higher in the tree.  So, I look up and, sure enough, there's a second barred owl, staring down at me/us.  So I switch subjects and start getting some shots of the second one.
 

Barred Owl I learned a valuable lesson that day...don't miss seeing the owl for the owl.