Short-eared Owl

Apologies to someone who left a comment on this photo before I deleted it! That was such a fast comment, while I was still uploading these five photos. I decided to change the order of the images and I caught sight of 4 views and 1 comment just as I was clicking Delete. Sorry!

Yesterday, 14 February, I was so lucky. Friend, Pam, phoned to see if I'd like to go with her for a quick drive east of the city. I hadn't been expecting to get out for a few days, as I had a cortisone injection in my left hip the previous day and one is supposed to rest for a few days. Another 10 days and I get a shot in the other hip. I wasn't going to drive anywhere, but being driven and no walking sounded just too nice to turn down. We also both knew that snow was in the forecast for the next two or three days.

We were very lucky with an owl sighting when this one flew to a fence post, flew off, and later returned to a different, closer post - and just stayed there. Looked like a bit of its most recent snack of Meadow Vole was still on the tip of its beak.

The temperature was a few degrees "less cold" than the previous 12 or so days. However, it was still SOOOO cold, so photos were taken with gloved hands. Two weeks of deep freeze has not been enjoyable, to say the least. This morning, 15 February, it is "only" -20C (windchill -25C) and snow fell overnight.

Many thanks, Pam, for the invite and this absolute treat! So much appreciated.