It's a scary time of year.

It's Halloween season.  Shadowy figures lurk in the dark woods, watching you with big, yellow eyes.  You know they are out there, watching and killing.  Your plan is to catch one of these creatures and you set a trap while it was still light.  After the darkness has taken over the land, you bravely walk through the woods with very little light to guide you.  After all, you want to stay as invisible as possible.  As you approach your elaborate trap, you are relieved to find your prey is caught in your net.  It watches you with large eyes, flashing you a look mixed with panic and anger.  You free the creature and place it in a bag, then you haul your prize back to the comfort of civilization, where you will show your trophy to the crowd that has gathered to see this wild creature.  And what is this creature?  Brace yourself.... It's a Northern Saw-Whet Owl - in my opinion one of the cutest birds that has ever existed!  At the Indiana Dunes and in numerous other locations across the country, Saw-Whet Owls are being studied and banded to help us learn more about these tiny little owls.  The Dunes invites the public to the banding programs where you will get up close and personal with an owl and learn quite a bit about them.  If you have never seen one of these cuties up close, it's an opportunity you don't want to miss!  Check your local parks to find a Northern Saw-Whet Owl banding program near you.