Long Eared Owl (Asio otus)

I knew these owls were in the area but it took me until today to see them perched. There was six or seven owls with this one. I am anxious to see them when they have the little ones they are so cute.
The first time I saw these owls in our area was in the late 1980's when we just happen upon them. When they flushed they looked like really big sparrows. What we had found was a winter roost and after a final count for the area there were something like 50 to 80 birds counted. From what I had heard there were people coming from near and far to see this sight.