Saw-whet looking so cute and cuddly…something you could just pick up, put in your pocket and take home.
Well not really but just a thought that raced through my mind while standing there in disbelief as to the size.
Not till I began looking through the photos was I aware of the fine delicate feathering around the eyes.
I’m sure these feathers must serve some specific purpose…other than adding to its cuteness.
Over the last week or so I’ve spent hours searching both sides of Lake Winnipeg for the Ghost of the Forest.
Returning to locations where over the years has provides rewards…as of yet no Great Grays to be had.
There is still hope with one more area to check…when the weather cooperates.
Why is it there are no Gray’s to be found ?
I feel it all has to do with the amount of snow we have…or the lack of snow.
With less snow the owls are able to find prey relatively easy deep in the forests so no need to move out along the roadsides.
This is just my theory…but the search continues.
Never know what you’ll come across when out-n-about. Certainly wasn’t expecting to find a Northern Saw-whet Owl.
Only having seen one in a nest box at a distance years ago…this was a delight.
These owls are a bit smaller than an Eastern Screech Owl and only 6-7 in.…half the size of a Northern Hawk Owl.
They prefer to roost rather low (6-8 ft) in conifers where they spend their day sleeping the time away. It appeared that this little guy was holding something in its talons…which turned out to be a partially eaten mouse.
The owl soon became alert and went on to swallow done the rest of its meal…which took three attempts.
I would even go as far to say that this particular tree was a favorite perch and well used. Just how did I come to this conclusion ?
It pays to be observant…noticing frozen strings of owl droppings (poop) hanging off lower limbs along with a number of pellets on the ground.
I know it’s more information than you really wanted/needed to know.
It was a Great Way to start the week-end.