FINALLY!

Last year, 2019, I didn't see any Great Gray Owls. In March 2018, I had better luck. In 2017, I saw one on our May Species Count, and on 12 June 2016, I had also been lucky. Various views in the years before 2016.

Yesterday's owl was very unexpected and such a treat. Actually, I didn't notice it until I had just driven past it. Wondering if it might fly, I reversed the car very slowly, but, to my relief, it was still sitting on the fence post. After just a few minutes of turning its head to one side or another, it turned to look across the field of glorious Dandelions behind it. I don't know if it had a nest in the trees, but maybe it heard its mate or a young one calling. Whatever it was, it resulted in take-off.

My main purpose for going for a drive yesterday was to find and photograph the old, faded barn seen in my next photo. I had hoped to get up north of the city to see it last year, but it just didn't happen. Also, I had noticed that rain is forecast for many of the coming days, so I wanted to make the most of a sunny day.

After taking a few photos (from the road), I continued my drive and, a short while later, got lost. It was while trying to find my way to some familiar road that I came across the owl. Sometimes, getting lost brings something wonderful, that you would have otherwise missed.

Tags:   Alberta Canada N of Calgary nature wildlife avian ornithology bird bird of prey owl Great Gray Owl Strix nebulosa close-up side view head and shoulders perched on a fence post field grass wildflowers Dandelions bokeh outdoor spring 11 June 2020 Canon SX60 Canon SX60 Powershot annkelliott Anne Elliott

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FINALLY!

Last year, 2019, I didn't see any Great Gray Owls. In March 2018, I had better luck. In 2017, I saw one on our May Species Count, and on 12 June 2016, I had also been lucky. All of these Great Grays were seen SW of the city.

Yesterday's owl was very unexpected and such a treat. Actually, I didn't notice it until I had just driven past it. Wondering if it might fly, I reversed the car very slowly, but, to my relief, it was still sitting on the fence post. After just a few minutes of turning its head to one side or another, it turned to look across the field of glorious Dandelions behind it. I don't know if it had a nest in the trees, but maybe it heard its mate or a young one calling. Whatever it was, it resulted in take-off.

My main purpose for going for a drive yesterday was to find and photograph the old, faded barn seen in my next photo. I had hoped to get up north of the city to see it last year, but it just didn't happen. Also, I had noticed that rain is forecast for many of the coming days, so I wanted to make the most of a sunny day.

After taking a few photos (from the road), I continued my drive and, a short while later, got lost. It was while trying to find my way to some familiar road that I came across the owl. Sometimes, getting lost brings something wonderful, that you would have otherwise missed.

© All Rights Reserved

FINALLY!

Last year, 2019, I didn't see any Great Gray Owls. In March 2018, I had better luck. In 2017, I saw one on our May Species Count, and on 12 June 2016, I had also been lucky. All of these Great Grays were seen SW of the city.

Yesterday's owl was very unexpected and such a treat. Actually, I didn't notice it until I had just driven past it. Wondering if it might fly, I reversed the car very slowly, but, to my relief, it was still sitting on the fence post. After just a few minutes of turning its head to one side or another, it turned to look across the field of glorious Dandelions behind it. I don't know if it had a nest in the trees, but maybe it heard its mate or a young one calling. Whatever it was, it resulted in take-off.

My main purpose for going for a drive yesterday was to find and photograph the old, faded barn seen in my next photo. I had hoped to get up north of the city to see it last year, but it just didn't happen. Also, I had noticed that rain is forecast for many of the coming days, so I wanted to make the most of a sunny day.

After taking a few photos (from the road), I continued my drive and, a short while later, got lost. It was while trying to find my way to some familiar road that I came across the owl. Sometimes, getting lost brings something wonderful, that you would have otherwise missed.

Tags:   Alberta Canada N of Calgary nature wildlife avian ornithology bird female Tree Swallow Tachycineta bicolor back view at nesting box wooden outdoor spring 11 June 2020 Canon SX60 Canon SX60 Powershot annkelliott Anne Elliott © Anne Elliott 2020 © All Rights Reserved

© All Rights Reserved

Sorry - turn off the sound : ) I had pulled over slightly on a road that local farmers were using and I turned on my indicator or hazard lights to warn them.

Last year, 2019, I didn't see any Great Gray Owls. In March 2018, I had better luck. In 2017, I saw one on our May Species Count, and on 12 June 2016, I had also been lucky. All of these Great Grays were seen SW of the city.

Yesterday's owl was very unexpected and such a treat. Actually, I didn't notice it until I had just driven past it. Wondering if it might fly, I reversed the car very slowly, but, to my relief, it was still sitting on the fence post. After just a few minutes of turning its head to one side or another, it turned to look across the field of glorious Dandelions behind it. I don't know if it had a nest in the trees, but maybe it heard its mate or a young one calling. Whatever it was, it resulted in take-off.

My main purpose for going for a drive yesterday was to find and photograph the old, faded barn seen in my next photo. I had hoped to get up north of the city to see it last year, but it just didn't happen. Also, I had noticed that rain is forecast for many of the coming days, so I wanted to make the most of a sunny day.

After taking a few photos (from the road), I continued my drive and, a short while later, got lost. It was while trying to find my way to some familiar road that I came across the owl. Sometimes, getting lost brings something wonderful, that you would have otherwise missed.

Tags:   Alberta Canada N of Calgary nature wildlife avian ornithology bird bird of prey owl Great Gray Owl Strix nebulosa perched on a fence post field grass wildflowers Dandelions bokeh outdoor spring video 11 June 2020 Canon SX60 Canon SX60 Powershot annkelliott Anne Elliott

© All Rights Reserved

FINALLY!

Last year, 2019, I didn't see any Great Gray Owls. In March 2018, I had better luck. In 2017, I saw one on our May Species Count, and on 12 June 2016, I had also been lucky. All of these Great Grays were seen SW of the city.

Yesterday's owl was very unexpected and such a treat. Actually, I didn't notice it until I had just driven past it. Wondering if it might fly, I reversed the car very slowly, but, to my relief, it was still sitting on the fence post. After just a few minutes of turning its head to one side or another, it turned to look across the field of glorious Dandelions behind it. I don't know if it had a nest in the trees, but maybe it heard its mate or a young one calling. Whatever it was, it resulted in take-off.

My main purpose for going for a drive yesterday was to find and photograph the old, faded barn seen in this photo. I had hoped to get up north of the city to see it last year, but it just didn't happen. Also, I had noticed that rain is forecast for many of the coming days, so I wanted to make the most of a sunny day.

After taking a few photos (from the road), I continued my drive and, a short while later, got lost. It was while trying to find my way to some familiar road that I came across the owl. Sometimes, getting lost brings something wonderful, that you would have otherwise missed.

Tags:   Alberta Canada N of Calgary building barn wooden wood old weathered faded in good shape seen from the road field grass wildflowers Dandelions fence trees outdoor spring 11 June 2020 Canon SX60 Canon SX60 Powershot annkelliott Anne Elliott © Anne Elliott 2020 © All Rights Reserved

© All Rights Reserved