Precious

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