This is a first for me: the first owl I have managed to find on my own. In the past someone else had to point one out to me. Well, truth be known, I had a bit of help on this occasion from some irate birds, but I am willing to take full credit.
The Northern Pygmy Owl is unusual in that it is our smallest owl, it is substantially confined to the western cordillera, and it is active during the day. It will merely sit in a tree and wait for lunch to come along.
In addition to the portrait on the right, I include three more pictures of this morning’s visitor: two are shots of it in the tree where chickadees had tried unsuccessfully to chase it off; finally, there is a detail from the image on the right.
The Kootenay-Lake Website offers more pictures and discussion of local owls.
Lovely pictures, these little guys are gorgeous.
I would happily see them around here every day. Yet, I suspect that the chickadees, nuthatches, and voles would be less enthusiastic.
Wow, look at those eyes! As much as I hike, ski and kayak in the area I have never seen one, good job!
I had one of these guys in my back yard last week , in Pass Creek , have seen them periodically here for several years , elusive little raptors for sure