Northern Saw-whet Owl.  A very small (7-9 in. tall), uncommon owl of woodlands usually seen in SE Minnesota only during the spring and fall migration. This owl is a  hunter of small rodents and insecst.  I have never seen one, but have heard them at our place.  This owl photo and the following five owl photos are courtesy of Andrew Nyhus,  of andrewnyhusphotgraphy.com
Thank you Andrew.

TO SEE MORE OWL PHOTOS GO UP AND TO THE RIGHT AND CLICK ON JANUARY 2015.