Northern Pygmy-owl

I think there are only another couple of photos after this that I really want to post so that I can add them to my Northern Pygmy-owl Set. S/he's such a special, tiny owl that I don't want any of my photos of him/her to get completely lost in my endless hard drive archives. Thank goodness for Flickr Sets : )

I am practically asleep on my feet today, but finally all my commitments to the Annual Christmas and New Year Bird Counts have been fulfilled and I must turn my time and efforts towards other, far more urgent things. I needed the break today, going on an almost 15-hour Bird Count for Nanton, south of Calgary. My alarm clocks blared at 4:30 a.m. and I was picked up at 6:30 a.m. this morning and I got home around 8:45 p.m. this evening, so am posting very late. A very successful day, including seeing 5 Golden Eagles (!), 3 Northern Shrikes (!), 70 Sharp-tailed Grouse (!), 2 Great Horned Owls, etc., etc. My little group of four found 15 species, but many of them were very nice species to find, especially in such great numbers. After the Count, while numbers were being tallied, we were all treated to a lovely supper. Thanks to the organizers of this event - so much work involved (including the supper, of course!). Many thanks to the Truch family for their delightful hospitality - so much appreciated by us all!

Now, though, I have to return to far more serious, difficult things to deal with. I was up till around 2:30 this morning seeing to more e-mails, etc., and felt rather overwhelmed. So, some sunshine and being in the company of good friends was much needed before I continue with getting things sorted out in connection to my brother's death..