Great Gray Owl, watching and listening

Talk about a lucky weekend for Great Gray Owls - just what the doctor ordered! One individual seen on Saturday and then two different individuals seen on Sunday, 11 March 2018.

The owl in this photo was taken on the Saturday, when a Great Gray Owl was sitting in a bare tree, giving a chance for several shots before it flew off and landed in a more distant area of woodland. And there it sat, and sat, and sat, partly hidden by a tangle of too many tiny branches. If only they would choose trees with no branches that get in the way, lol!

On the Sunday, I decided to go with a group of friends for the first part of their day's outing. The rest of their day was going to be a walk in an area that is treacherous in winter, as well as being a long hike. The very last thing I need at the moment is to break an arm or a leg - or anything. I am so glad I got up early and started the day with them, as we ended up seeing two separate Great Gray Owls.

The first owl was perched in a group of trees and then flew to a tree that was somewhat closer to us. It is always amazing to see such a large owl perched on a very thin branch/twig, showing that most of the bird is a mass of light-weight feathers.

The second owl, seen in the third photo I have posted today, was at first perched in a tree that had beautiful dead leaves, adding a welcome splash of colour. The light was challenging, but at least it wasn't snowing. A few minutes later, it flew off and landed on the top of a far-away evergreen tree. Again, the light was a challenge. After parting from my friends, I had to drive past this location again and was happy to see the owl still in the same distant tree. I waited a little while, hoping it might fly and land closer, but it seemed perfectly happy staying exactly where it was.

I was just in time to get back to the city and join a different group of friends for a walk at Mallard Point in Fish Creek. Park. The birds we saw were too far away for any decent photos - but I didn't need any, after such an amazing owl morning. After the walk, we headed for Tim Horton's for late afternoon coffee and snack. Just being outdoors on such a lovely, sunny, comparatively mild day felt good.