Northern Saw-whet Owl / Aegolius acadicus

When a phone call came just before 1:00 p.m. yesterday, letting me know that this owl had been found in Carburn Park, I was sitting at my computer, still not dressed and no breakfast! I don't think I've ever got ready so fast in my life (slight exaggeration!), my heart beating so quickly : ) What an absolute thrill to set eyes on this tiny owl, so perfect - and perched amongst a mass of tiny branches, immediately above the trail. With a bit of manoeuvering, I was able to get zoomed shots without the branches, but with more distant shots that was not possible. Love the fine feathers on its face. Three of us were also privileged to watch a huge pellet being thrown up. The owl was sitting in almost the same site where one was first found in the year 2000 and again in 2005. If it is the same bird, it is at least 12.5 yrs old.

Before I found the owl location, I came acoss two or three White-tailed Deer on a nearby trail through the trees, including a beautiful buck (will post a photo maybe tomorrow). As if all this wasn't enough for one afternoon, I noticed a Jack Rabbit in its white winter coat, sitting on the grass outside my place when I got out of my car. S/he just sat there and let me take quite a few shots, which was great.

"Adults Saw-whets are 17–22 cm (6.7–8.7 in) long with a 42–56.3 cm (17–22.2 in) wingspan. They can weigh from 54 to 151 g (1.9 to 5.3 oz) with an average of around 80 g (2.8 oz), making them one of the smallest owls in North America. In relative size to other birds they are close to the size of an American Robin.

After an online "Critter Vote", the Saw-whet Owl became the new star of Telus' mobility campaign in the summer of 2011." Some of you may have seen this very cute TV commercial : )

youtu.be/GaeFUeusM7w

www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Northern_Saw-whet_Owl/id/ac

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Northern_Saw-whet_Owl

I have to stay home today and wait for an inspector from the city to come and check the installation of my new heating furnace. The Government is offering a rebate at the moment and an inspection has to be made first.