Ok, maybe it wasn’t the coldest day, but it was chilly!
Thanks to an achilles tendon injury, I have not been able to join Kim for a visit to Reifel in a good couple of months. The sanctuary has been quite active lately with Saw-whet, Great Horned and Barred owls along with a Northern Hawk Owl that has made a residential yard, his home. I wasn’t about to miss out so I got up early, bum foot and all,met Kim at her place and together we headed off to find owls!
There were no disappointments with either the Hawk Owl or the Saw-whet, we kept our eyes open for others and found these beauties sitting proudly above the treetops.
A bit further down the path, Kim spotted this rather regal fella perched upon a bare branch. He was more then co-operative when it came to photo-ops.
Most of the ponds that are dotted through out the sanctuary had a thin covering of ice due the the below zero temperature. Some ducks were feeding on seed that had been thrown onto the ice well others treated us to a sneak peek of “Duckcapades”.
And of course, no trip to Reifel would be complete without saying hello to all the wonderful little regulars.
We may have only seen the two owls, both lifers for me and I may be limping a little bit more today but our visit to the sanctuary was more than worth it. Any day spent with the birds and my dear friend Kim is worth it!!
This year is coming to a close and for me it’s been very birdieful! Here’s to 2011, may it be as plentiful as 2010!
Happy New Year everyone!
really wonderful group of birds seen and awesome photos!
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year to you and your family:)
dan
Slip sliding away... (Simon and Garfunkle)
ReplyDeleteYou already know I'm jealous about the hawk owl, but I sure would like to see a yellow-crowned sparrow too! :)
happy new year my dear friend!!..love ya!!..great post as usual!..love the owl!!
ReplyDeletewishing you and yours joy, happiness, and good health in 2011!!..hugs to you!!