Yesterday, 11 January 2015, I called in at Fish Creek Park again for some fresh air and, hopefully, a friend or two. I was lucky with both. It was a Sunday and a lot of photographers had gathered to watch and photograph this tiny, popcan-sized Northern Pygmy-owl.
I was impressed that all the photographers were very respectful of this tiny owl. Mind you, apart from a couple of very brief, low landings in bushes, it stayed perched extremely high in tall trees. Thankfully, it was still within my camera reach and we were all lucky enough to see it perched in a variety of places. Bright blue sky completed the picture, unlike the day before, which had been overcast and gloomy. In this photo, we were treated to a view from the back with its little head turned around - and it was right out in the open, which made a nice change.
It was so good to see so many friends again - lifted my spirits, for which I was so grateful. My thanks to each and every one of them.
Tags: Calgary Alberta Canada Fish Creek Park nature ornithology avian bird birds owl Northern Pygmy-owl Glaucidium gnoma bird of prey perched branch piercing eyes popcan-sized fist-sized blue sky looking backwards backward glance
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Yesterday, 10 January 2015, I called in at Fish Creek Park for some fresh air and, hopefully, a friend or two. I was lucky with both. Several photographers had gathered to watch and photograph this tiny, popcan-sized Northern Pygmy-owl. We had seen it fly down to the ground and catch a Meadow Vole, and you can see a tiny bit of its snack on its beak.
This shot is an improvement on the one I posted yesterday, but I'm still hoping to get the chance for some photos with a nice, clear background. You can see how well this owl blends in with its surroundings.
Tags: Calgary Alberta Canada Fish Creek Park nature ornithology avian bird birds Owl Northern Pygmy-owl Glaucidium gnoma bird of prey perched branch piercing eyes popcan-sized fist-sized annkelliott Anne Elliott FZ200 Lumix
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Last night, I ran out of time to look through the many photos I've taken this week, of this tiny Northern Pygmy-owl. I always find it overwhelming to have to look through so many shots, especially when there are a lot of very similar ones. So, this is a rather quickly grabbed photo showing the little popcan-sized owl looking down at the ground way below. Most likely it had seen movement, maybe a Meadow Vole. I love the pattern on top of its head and its forehead. Unfortunately, some of the chest feathers are blown out, thanks to the bright sun in that spot.
The past week has been amazing, watching this owl. Most of the time, it sits at or near the top of very tall trees, often for an hour or two. Then it will fly to the top of a different tree and do the same and eventually, if one is lucky, it might just fly down to a somewhat lower branch or very briefly to the bushes. If one is even luckier, it might fly down to the snow-covered ground and catch a Meadow Vole.
Each day that I have been, It was so good to see so many friends again - lifted my spirits, for which I was so grateful. My thanks to each and every one of them. For me, this is so therapeutic, especially during the 10 days since my oldest daughter passed away. Even if there was no sign of the owl, just being with friends is so precious.
Tags: Calgary Alberta Canada Fish Creek Park nature ornithology avian bird birds owl Northern Pygmy-owl Glaucidium gnoma bird of prey perched branch looking down at the ground popcan-sized fist-sized annkelliott Anne Elliott FZ200 Lumix
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Yesterday afternoon, 13 January 2015, I spent time with friends again, down in Fish Creek Park. As usual, for most of the time, this tiny, popcan-sized owl sat very high up in very tall trees. Patience is definitely needed when hoping to get photos of this beautiful little bird - it tends to sit in the same place for an hour or even two. If it wasn't for other people to chat with, I know I could never stand there, watching and waiting for so long if I was by myself!
THANK YOU TO ALL MY FRIENDS FOR HELPING TO MAKE THE LOSS OF MY OLDEST DAUGHTER, FIONA, EASIER TO BEAR! YOU HAVE ALL MADE SO MUCH DIFFERENCE THE LAST 10 DAYS! I CAN'T THANK YOU ENOUGH.
This photo was taken when the ferocious hunter flew down to the path, caught a Meadow Vole, and then flew up into a much smaller Spruce tree.
"The Northern Pygmy-Owl may be tiny, but it’s a ferocious hunter with a taste for songbirds. These owls are mostly dark brown and white, with long tails, smoothly rounded heads, and piercing yellow eyes. They hunt during the day by sitting quietly and surprising their prey. As a defensive measure, songbirds often gather to mob sitting owls until they fly away. Mobbing songbirds can help you find these unobtrusive owls, as can listening for their call, a high-pitched series of toots." From AllAboutBirds.
www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Northern_Pygmy-Owl/id
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Northern_pygmy_owl
Tags: Calgary Alberta Canada Fish Creek Park nature ornithology avian bird birds Owl Northern Pygmy-owl Glaucidium gnoma bird of prey perched branch tree with Meadow Vole back view predator prey backwards glance popcan-sized fist-sized with prey ferocious hunter diurnal Excellence AvianExcellence
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THANK YOU TO ALL MY FRIENDS FOR HELPING TO MAKE THE LOSS OF MY OLDEST DAUGHTER, FIONA, EASIER TO BEAR! YOU HAVE ALL MADE SO MUCH DIFFERENCE THE LAST 10 DAYS! I CAN'T THANK YOU ENOUGH.
Yesterday, 14 January 2015, I called in at Fish Creek Park yet again for some fresh air and, hopefully, a friend or two. I was lucky with both. It was a weekday, but there were so many people there, it felt like a Sunday! Somehow, everyone seemed able to manoeuvre their tripods and enormous lenses each time the owl moved to a different branch or a new tree. I love my easy little point-and-shoot : ) We were all treated to some close views yesterday, and it was fascinating to watch the owl get ready to fly down to the snow-covered ground when it saw some movement. It goes through some interesting body behaviour in the seconds before that rapid dive. This particular photo was take on 11 January, though, not yesterday.
I was impressed that all the photographers were very respectful of this tiny owl. Some of its time was spent perched extremely high in tall trees. Usually, it was just about within my camera reach and we were all lucky enough to see it perched in a variety of places, including some closer views. Bright blue sky completed the picture, yet again.
However, this morning is as overcast as could be. The forecast is for 6C and sunny this afternoon, so if it happens, I might just be tempted to go over to the park later. There is no knowing how long this tiny owl will be around. Also, I will be missing Sunday and probably Saturday, as the Celebration of Life service for my daughter is on Sunday.
"The Northern Pygmy-Owl may be tiny, but it’s a ferocious hunter with a taste for songbirds. These owls are mostly dark brown and white, with long tails, smoothly rounded heads, and piercing yellow eyes. They hunt during the day by sitting quietly and surprising their prey. As a defensive measure, songbirds often gather to mob sitting owls until they fly away. Mobbing songbirds can help you find these unobtrusive owls, as can listening for their call, a high-pitched series of toots." From AllAboutBirds.
www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Northern_Pygmy-Owl/id
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Northern_pygmy_owl
Tags: Calgary Alberta Canada Fish Creek Park nature ornithology avian bird birds owl Northern Pygmy-owl Glaucidium gnoma bird of prey perched branch front view piercing eyes popcan-sized fist-sized blue sky
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