Search Continues

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photo courtesy of Dennis Swayze

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.

Well Now…What’s This ?

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photo courtesy of Dennis Swayze

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.

Good, Better, Best

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photo courtesy of Dennis Swayze

Previously I had been out and found a Northern Hawk Owl…even though it was a dull day and perched on a sign it was “good” to find one. Not being overly please with just good rewards I tried again.

Yesterday the light was perfect with “better” results along with a more natural setting…including hoar frost.
Thanks Mother Nature you made my day.