02 Bald Eagle in late afternoon sun
01 Barred Owl
False eyes and real eyes
Turkey Vulture talons
Female Kestrel
A distant shot from my archives
Northern Hawk Owl with woodland bokeh
Great Horned Owl and owlet
Mom and her babies
Yesterday's treat!
Watching the watchers
One of three young owls
Great Horned Owl male
A lucky find
Swainson's Hawk / Buteo swainsoni
Anyone have a comb?
Who can resist a Burrowing Owl?
I fell in love ....
Time for a nap
Curious
Cooling down
Flight training with a Red-tailed Hawk
Talk about baby fluff!
Barn Owl
Spiked hairdo
Short-eared Owl
Sleepy Short-eared Owl
You looking at me, lady?
Swainson's Hawk juvenile
Swainson's Hawk juvenile
Juvenile Swainson's Hawk
Swainson's Hawk
Sweet young owl
Three years later ....
Red-tailed Hawk?
Great Horned Owl on a fence post
Yesterday's Great Horned Owl
Great Horned Owl juvenile
Merlin
Bald Eagle / Haliaeetus leucocephalus
Yesterday's Bald Eagle
Swainson's Hawk
A favourite subject with photographers
After a busy night of hunting
Yesterday's absolute treat - the size of your fist…
Shadows
One of a pair
Barn Owl
Swainson's Hawk juvenile
Popcan-sized Northern Pygmy-owl, from January 2015
Another surprise on another gloomy day
It's the little guy/gal again
Where countryside and civilization meet
Once was wild
Licorice Allsorts eyes
I spy with my little eye
A welcome addition to our Christmas Bird Count
Always a treat
Northern Pygmy-owl
A most welcome find
Snowy Owl number 5
Two male Snowy Owls in the same field
You never know where you'll see a Snowy Owl
Always glad to see a Snowy
Meadow Vole for a late lunch
Northern Hawk Owl
Great Gray Owl, focused
Eyes fixed on supper
Burrowing Owl
Perch with a good view
Such a beautiful owl
Peacefully waiting
Great Gray Owl from 2013
Quietly watching, always alert
Winner with its prey
Northern Hawk Owl
Snowy Owl along the fenceline
Northern Hawk Owl
A backward glance
Atop a utility pole
Meadow Vole for a tasty snack
Northern Hawk Owl
Two of a family of three
Northern Hawk Owl from 2016
Dark-eyed beauty
Yesterday's treat
The size of a popcan
Better than nothing - this is NOT my main photo!
Sleepy Great Horned Owl
Winter on the prairies
Great Gray Owl in early morning sunlight
Great Horned Owl
Ferocious hunter, but looking cute
Continuing the hunt
Northern Pygmy-owl
Snowy Owl in rehab
Turkey Vulture preening
Way, way up
Same tiny Northern Pygmy-owl
'Barn' Owl, alias Great Horned Owl
A welcome sight on a Christmas Bird Count
Yesterday's treat
Poor quality, but of interest
Barn Owl
That majestic look
Ever watchful
Snowy Owl harassed by Snow Buntings
Harris's Hawk
With a twinkle in its eye
Shooting in the rain
Peekaboo - whooo are yooo?
Time for an afternoon nap
Great Horned Owl male
A watchful eye
A distant Northern Pygmy-owl
Happy Thanksgiving to all Americans, everywhere!
Great Horned Owl - posting just for the record
First day of fledging
A bewildering world for a fallen owlet
Merlin removing dragonfly's wings
Long-eared Owl
A blast from the past
Osprey on the hunt
Ferruginous Hawk
Peregrine Falcon talons
See also...
Sheep River Christmas Bird Counts, 2007, 2008, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018
Sheep River Christmas Bird Counts, 2007, 2008, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018
Keywords
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Northern Pygmy-owl
Today, 3 March (2017), is WORLD WILDLIFE DAY.
"On 20 December 2013, at its 68th session, the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) proclaimed 3 March, the day of signature of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), as UN World Wildlife Day to celebrate and raise awareness of the world’s wild animals and plants. The UNGA resolution also designated the CITES Secretariat as the facilitator for the global observance of this special day for wildlife on the UN calendar.
World Wildlife Day will be celebrated in 2017 under the theme “Listen to the Young Voices.” Given that almost one quarter of the world’s population is aged between 10 and 24, vigorous efforts need to be made to encourage young people, as the future leaders and decision makers of the world, to act at both local and global levels to protect endangered wildlife."
www.wildlifeday.org/
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
On 27 December 2016, nine of us took part in the annual Audubon Sheep River/Priddis/Turner Valley Christmas Bird Count. This gorgeous little popcan-sized or fist-sized Northern Pygmy-owl was actually not seen on the Count, unfortunately, but afterwards, when three of us decided to keep driving a few extra roads on the way home. One other friend happened to drive along this particular road on her way home and so was lucky enough to share the enjoyment with us. Also, Joe Harley and his wife, Carolyn, happened to be driving along the same road. Joe, with his powerful camera, joined us to capture this beautiful bird that gave us a wonderful chance to take a few photos. We had also seen a second owl in the same area (presumably a pair), but one of them flew off into the trees and disappeared.
"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. They also love Meadow Voles.
www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Northern_Pygmy-Owl/id
"Carolyn Harley loves to perform as a solo artist; as the husband/wife duo HARLEY & HARLEY with her husband Joe (who took up playing bass in self defense in his 50’s!!); as THE CAROLYN HARLEY TRIO with long time friend Robb Mann on guitar and mando; as COPPER JUNCTION, a four piece band that features country/bluegrass music with the addition of Craig West on fiddle; and as CAROLYN HARLEY & THE DAVIDSONS (a play on the motorcycle!!) which is the same four musicians playing a wide range of styles."
www.carolynharley.com/home
Our time all day was spent travelling by car, driving the backroads SW of the city and calling in at several acreages/farms. I took part in this Count last year but had missed it for a few years before that. I believe I had only ever done it twice before that, a few years ago (December 2007 and December 30, 2008). This time, like last year, our area was in the centre of the count circle and I'm so glad I decided to go again.
A great stop was at Rod Handfield's place. Some of us go there very occasionally on botany trips and he always has the best mushrooms and other fungi growing in his forest. Rod and his wife have such a beautiful cabin there. A Gray Jay gave us a few photo opportunities, which was appreciated. Rod is always so delightfully hospitable!!
Thanks so much, Donna, for driving half of us - so much appreciated! This also meant that we were lucky enough to see this owl after the Count, too. A beautiful sunny day really helped - not all that cold (for Alberta!). A lot of snow everywhere (almost 8"), but that was OK, as we did so little walking. A great day!
"On 20 December 2013, at its 68th session, the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) proclaimed 3 March, the day of signature of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), as UN World Wildlife Day to celebrate and raise awareness of the world’s wild animals and plants. The UNGA resolution also designated the CITES Secretariat as the facilitator for the global observance of this special day for wildlife on the UN calendar.
World Wildlife Day will be celebrated in 2017 under the theme “Listen to the Young Voices.” Given that almost one quarter of the world’s population is aged between 10 and 24, vigorous efforts need to be made to encourage young people, as the future leaders and decision makers of the world, to act at both local and global levels to protect endangered wildlife."
www.wildlifeday.org/
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
On 27 December 2016, nine of us took part in the annual Audubon Sheep River/Priddis/Turner Valley Christmas Bird Count. This gorgeous little popcan-sized or fist-sized Northern Pygmy-owl was actually not seen on the Count, unfortunately, but afterwards, when three of us decided to keep driving a few extra roads on the way home. One other friend happened to drive along this particular road on her way home and so was lucky enough to share the enjoyment with us. Also, Joe Harley and his wife, Carolyn, happened to be driving along the same road. Joe, with his powerful camera, joined us to capture this beautiful bird that gave us a wonderful chance to take a few photos. We had also seen a second owl in the same area (presumably a pair), but one of them flew off into the trees and disappeared.
"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. They also love Meadow Voles.
www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Northern_Pygmy-Owl/id
"Carolyn Harley loves to perform as a solo artist; as the husband/wife duo HARLEY & HARLEY with her husband Joe (who took up playing bass in self defense in his 50’s!!); as THE CAROLYN HARLEY TRIO with long time friend Robb Mann on guitar and mando; as COPPER JUNCTION, a four piece band that features country/bluegrass music with the addition of Craig West on fiddle; and as CAROLYN HARLEY & THE DAVIDSONS (a play on the motorcycle!!) which is the same four musicians playing a wide range of styles."
www.carolynharley.com/home
Our time all day was spent travelling by car, driving the backroads SW of the city and calling in at several acreages/farms. I took part in this Count last year but had missed it for a few years before that. I believe I had only ever done it twice before that, a few years ago (December 2007 and December 30, 2008). This time, like last year, our area was in the centre of the count circle and I'm so glad I decided to go again.
A great stop was at Rod Handfield's place. Some of us go there very occasionally on botany trips and he always has the best mushrooms and other fungi growing in his forest. Rod and his wife have such a beautiful cabin there. A Gray Jay gave us a few photo opportunities, which was appreciated. Rod is always so delightfully hospitable!!
Thanks so much, Donna, for driving half of us - so much appreciated! This also meant that we were lucky enough to see this owl after the Count, too. A beautiful sunny day really helped - not all that cold (for Alberta!). A lot of snow everywhere (almost 8"), but that was OK, as we did so little walking. A great day!
supernobby, HelenaPF, Puzzler4879, Claudine Gaulier-Denis and 3 other people have particularly liked this photo
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