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There you are! You are well hidden today. And finally, you are perched in a place with no branches protruding in front of you.
So goes my conversation with the little Northern Saw-whet Owl overwintering on my farm.
Over the past four winters, I have made numerous trips down to my farm to photograph these Owls. Sometimes, I just couldn't locate an Owl. But mostly, I found one tucked into the interior of a cedar tree, with tiny twigs preventing a clear view. Likely, the twigs and small branches protect the Owl from larger predators.
Today, I had a very cooperative subject. I spent an hour photographing this small Owl, ending up within three feet of it. Although Saw-whet Owls are surprisingly tame, I was amazed that it did not fly off each time I lost my footing in the snow-covered gully or shook snow off an overhanging limb and down my neck. |