This is Otis the Great Horned Owl, a great wildlife ambassador, who lives at the Medicine River Wildlife Centre (north west of Calgary, and west of Innisfail). He is unable to be released because of injuries, so devotes his life to educating people. Taken indoors, which is never a strong point for me and my camera : )
Tags: Alberta Canada southern Alberta north west of Calgary west of Innisfail Spruce View Medicine River Wildlife Centre nature ornithology avian bird birds captive injured in captivity wildlife bird of prey raptor Owl Great Horned Owl Bubo virginianus adult portrait head shot close-up feathers eyes detail front view indoors image photo digital color image horizontal no people beautiful beauty in nature wildlife ambassador Panasonic DMC-FZ35 DMC-FZ35 FZ35 point-and-shoot P1070720 FZ35 annkelliott beautiful_expression birdshare Feels Good
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The Great Horned Owl is the provincial bird of Alberta and is common all year round. I have been lucky enough to see many, including two young ones. The feather detail really is quite attractive. They feed mainly at night but in winter they also hunt in the daytime.
Tags: Calgary Alberta Canada Fish Creek Park bird nature wildlife Great Horned Owl Bubo virginianus annkelliott Fauna & Flora of FCPP Talkaboutwildlife.ca Sikome owl adult perched tree sleeping
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We came across this beautiful Great Horned Owl during our Christmas Bird Count in Nanton, south of Calgary, on 27th December. S/he was perched in a lone tree in the middle of a large grassy area in the "garden" of one of the ranches/homesteads. Fortunately, I got a few photos before the family dog decided to trot off across the snow and right under this tree. The owl flew straight towards me and then angled off, I'm glad to say. It can be an anxious moment when you realize a large bird of prey is flying towards you from just a few feet away, and I never think of trying to get a photo, until it's too late, LOL.
Tags: Alberta Canada southern Alberta Nanton Nanton Christmas Bird Count south of Calgary nature ornithology avian bird birds bird of prey raptor owl Great Horned Owl Bubo virginianus adult tree perched perching front view homestead garden image photograph digital color image vertical beauty in nature Panasonic DMC-FZ28 FZ28 Lumix point-and-shoot P1320556 FZ28 annkelliott beautiful_expression Feels Good
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It was such a treat to see this Great Horned Owl on Sunday morning, high up in a Spruce tree - in awful lighting. Presumably, this is one of the same two owls that have been in the avenue of Spruce trees by Bow Valley Ranch in Fish Creek Park the last few years. These two owls are different from the Sikome Owls (the usual ones I photograph), that live just a few minutes further into the park. Some days last year, I was able to see three of these owls at Sikome plus the two by the Ranch, all within a matter of minutes. How lucky is that?!
Tags: Calgary Alberta Canada Fish Creek Park Bow Valley Ranch area nature ornithology bird birds owl Great Horned Owl Bubo virginianus raptor bird of prey Panasonic DMC-FZ18 FZ18 Lumix P1390914 FZ18 annkelliott SuperShot
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Amazingly, there were no annoying little branches or leaves between the owl and myself. I have seen this particular pair of Great Horned Owls so many times. They live down by Sikome Lake in Fish Creek Park. Earlier this year, I saw the mother high up in their nesting tree with a baby down by her feet. Very cute.
Tags: Calgary Alberta Canada Great Horned Owl nature wildlife bird birds owls FeatheryFriday relaxed
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