Close watch

This photo was taken on 3 February, when I called in at Fish Creek Park again for some fresh air and, hopefully, find a friend or two. I was lucky with both - some of the time there were just the three of us, watching and photographing this tiny, popcan-sized Northern Pygmy-owl (uncommon in Alberta). It gave us a few good views, including when it flew down to the bushes right in font of us (love it when that happens!). This photo shows how focused the tiny owl is when it's hunting. The EXIF data for this photo gives Focal Length (35mm format) - 1200 mm. There had just been quite a few days that there had been no sign of the owl, so I always feel very fortunate if it appears when I am there.

"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

It's a fairly sunny morning today, temperature 5C (windchill 1C). I'm without a vehicle for the day (actually, just heard that they need to keep it in for tomorrow, too), as it is in for repairs. The driver's door and the front passenger door both need new locks (wow, expensive!). Hmm, I wonder if having to use lock de-icer plays any part in that. Was also due for a timing belt replacement. Add an oil change to all that and the final cost is grim. So much for not wanting to put any/much money into my 16-year-old car!

Flickr views have been stuck all morning (not just mine) - hopefully, they will get this fixed soon. People have been losing a huge number of views.