Treat on a Stick

photo courtesy of Dennis Swayze

Dedicated day in search of any Winter Owls that are seen in more forested areas to the North.
Though still perhaps a bit early for Great Grays the forecast was positive and spending time in the woods would be relaxing.
I searched in vain with no rewards to be had.
Early afternoon and paused to plan a different route home with a couple of options…there it was again, that gut feeling.

As I drove the road I was beginning to think I should have picked Route B on the list.

Long story short…Northern Hawk Owl spotted. Now the waiting game begins as it seemed to be actively looking/listening for its next meal.
Their meals consist of voles/mice which are now hiding beneath the snow. With their incredible hearing and sight are able to detect the slightest
movement.

As time went on the owl was moving from perch to perch but never did make a meal plunge.

All in all and nice way to be rewarded and end my day out-n-about.

Birds of a Feather Flock Together

photo courtesy of Dennis Swayze

Stumbled across a hand full of cooperative Gray Partridge foraging for food. They are also referred to as Hungarian Partridge or Huns
Most times they don’t let you get too close before they take to flight. They blend in extremely well in fields and grasslands and search together year-round for food.
They must have been more focused on finding food than me driving up and permitted a few shots.

Out-n-about Before the Storm

photo courtesy of Dennis Swayze

All reports indicated a storm was looming…it was time to check out recent Snowy Owl sightings that had been reported.
Unfortunately no Snowy Owls spotted.
While searching I did spot something of interest way down the road…not expecting to see a Bald Eagle on the road side.

How close could I get before it took off was the first thought…a few photos then moving closer, more shot and moved closer.
Suddenly realizing that the bird had an injured wing and unable to fly…now what ?
I don’t have a blanket, gloves or a box…I could use my jacket to wrap it in…but then how do a I drive and hold an Eagle at the same time ?
One thing was certain I wasn’t about to leave it there.

Long story short…Lisa from Prairie Wildlife was on her way to my location with a volunteer to pick up the Eagle.
There I sat on the side of a back road babysitting an Eagle…you just never know how your day will turn out.

I did what I could but unfortunately the Eagle had to be put down.
Sometimes things just don’t turn out the way you would like then too and you have to take the bad with the good.