An accidental shot

Yesterday, 10 February 2014, I returned to Griffith Woods, where I had been lucky enough to see a Great Gray Owl on 10 January 2014. (Can't believe it has been a month. It feels more like a couple of weeks.) It had been seen on a number of days since then, so I thought I would give it another try, especially as friends were going on a birding walk there yesterday. As I walked into the area, I could see a large, dark object sitting on the top of a very tall tree. During the time I was there, the owl plunged twice into the deep snow and caught a Meadow Vole, as well as flying to several different trees. The photo above was taken after it had flown to a different tree and sat for a while. I had taken several shots and then, just as I was pressing the shutter button, it took off. I rarely ever try in-flight shots with my point-and-shoot, so this was a very lucky "accident". Though it was a lovely, sunny morning, the light was rather harsh and the sun not always in the best position. Not as sharp a photo as I would have liked, but I'll keep it : ) Great Gray Owls are not normally seen in Calgary, so this was a real treat.