Some winters, I have been able to photograph a Pygmy Owl.
This small owl spends most of its year at high elevations, but sometimes seeks the valleys in the winter. Unusually, it hunts by day and will sit quietly for hours on a tree branch waiting to fly after a small bird or maybe a vole. Then it has a quick dive to catch its prey.
However, in many winters of watching, I have never seen it fly after something. All my shots are just of the owl sitting and watching. That is, until yesterday when I watched the Pygmy Owl go after a small bird. The bird escaped, but I managed an acceptable shot of it diving after it.
A Pygmy Owl dives after a small bird, claws at the ready.
Nice, your patience was finally rewarded! Just like a patiently watching Pygmy Owl…