You couldn't wish for much better than this : )

... meaning not the quality of the image but that a few of us had a wonderful day yesterday, searching for and watching a pair of Northern Hawk Owls NW of the city. The weather was perfect, sunny and blue skies, and the Owls were pretty co-operative : ) I was out for nine hours, something like three of them were spent on travelling to and from the location, the other six hours were spent watching the Owls either very high up in trees or lower and quite close to us. Northern Hawk Owls have no fear of humans, which can make for wonderful watching - IF you can find them in the first place. When I visted the area on Sunday afternoon, I went alone and stayed for a much shorter time. Having company makes the difference, both for the trip and once arrived. Thanks so much, Phil, for inviting me to go along - and thanks to various other friends who arrived close to when we did. Usually, the more eyes the better, when it comes to finding birds. I was also told yesterday that Wolves had been heard in the area and that there were Cougar tracks in the snow. So glad I didn't know this on Sunday - but now, of course, I'll be very nervous if/when I go alone, lol! I had hoped that the snow would gradually melt, as it was very deep - again up to my knees in many places - and the sort of snow that is crisp and crunchy on the surface, hiding deep, powdery snow beneath. My least favourite ground to walk on, as you never know if the next step will send you plunging down through the top layer. It's so difficult to get up on your own once you are kneeling down in deep snow. You put your hand out to help push yourself up, and of course your arm disappears. This morning, I discovered that it's snowing, which will hide the treacherous holes and ice out there - nasty! By the way, this image was taken when one of the Owls was perched on the upper, short branch and the lower Owl flew in with a gift of a Meadow Vole (mouse?). I think the upper Owl is the female. The male did try giving the Vole to his mate, but the branch was too short for him to be able to land. In the end, he ate it himself, ha. By the end of the day, I was exhausted - no strength in my legs at all, and so much pain . Standing in one spot, with one's head tilted upwards for a long time, is a killer, as is trudging backwards and forwards through deep snow. So worth it, though, ha!!

The Northern Hawk Owl is a medium-sized owl, about 35 centimetres (14 inches) long. It is rare to uncommon in Alberta, year round. Apparently, it is one of Alberta's most sought-after birds.

www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Northern_Hawk_Owl/id/ac

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Northern_Hawk-Owl