Northern Pygmy-owl

Another photo of the tiny Northern Pygmy-owl from the same day as many of my other photos of it, in Fish Creek Park - November 13th. A zoomed in and very heavily cropped image, so I'm amazed that it is as sharp as it is. This rare to uncommon (in Alberta) owl is fist-sized or popcan-sized. Really, when you are looking at this image, the owl appears just about life-size : ) Pretty much impossible to find if you go looking - you just have to be extremely lucky - maybe it will fly (but it's so small, it could look like just another small bird in flight to most of us), or perhaps a bunch of Chickadees will be making a lot of noise in one area. Or maybe, just maybe, your eye will catch it perched in a tree. If you are lucky ....... : )