Anne Elliott's photos with the keyword: aviary

I'd better hurry and add that this gorgeous Snowy Owl female is at the Calgary Zoo! She and her mate share just a small outdoor enclosure, with trees, grass and plants. She always had a favourite spot to sit, but last year she suddenly decided that she wanted to sit up on a low, roof edge, away from her mate : ) This photo was taken when she was in her old place, under the trees and amongst the grasses. I love to see the feather detail on these female Snowy Owls - and of course, those EYES!

Had a pretty neat experience yesterday when I went to the Zoo. Happened to catch this Great Gray Owl in an active mood, which is unusual. At one time, it landed on a tree stump maybe 9 feet from where I was standing. Twice, it flew, skimming the top of my head (actually, I thought it was going straight for my face!!), and another time it flew past me at waist level, brushing my jacket with its wing. Never had that happen before : ) It also pulled a dead, white mouse out of the top of the tree stump and proceeded to eat it. The mouse is so over-exposed, but I thought I would still post the image. How I LOVE owls : )

I was thrilled to bits to see Mom and her two babies at the Calgary Zoo a few days ago. These Great Gray Owls live in one of the aviaries at the Zoo - one of my favourite places to be, as there is a tiny path through the area and there are no fences between you and the owls. This pair of Great Grays nested on this rocky ledge just a few feet away from the path, but behind a couple of trees. There is an opening that you can see through, though the lighting is atrocious for taking photos. These babies are absolutely adorable - they have SO much character, as do all young creatures : ). I'll post a closer photo of just one of the little ones soon. I have seen a few Great Gray Owls in the wild, but I only have distant, poor quality photos of them. It's amazing to see these captive owls up so close.

This gorgeous Great Gray Owl was perched just above one of the massive, iron gates that leads into the Owl aviary at the Calgary Zoo. As each Zoo visitor opened the gate and entered the aviary, this owl would turn its head and peer downwards, watching all the movement. I really like the feather pattern around those amazing, piercing eyes. No matter how many times I see these owls, I am always in complete awe when I am lucky enough to be standing so close with nothing between the two of us. This species of owl tends to be quite approachable in the wild in Alberta. It is the largest owl in Alberta, but the Snowy Owl and Great Horned Owls are heavier.

Great Horned Owls do vary in colour, depending on where they come from. This female, in the aviary at the Calgary Zoo, is a paler colour than the ones we usually see here in the wild.

Took this photo a few months ago in the aviary at the Calgary Zoo. Yes, Tanya, I know - disappointing to find out that it was seen at the Zoo, not in the wild! It is such an amazing experience to have these large owls flying around you, with nothing between them and you.

I believe this is a dark-phase Swainson's Hawk. It lives in one of the aviaries at the Calgary Zoo, along with a Redtail Hawk, a Feruginous Hawk, a Rough-legged Hawk and I think one other hawk. This time, I was able to get a photograph without the cage wires showing.

Caught this huge Ferruginous Hawk about to have a snack. It still amazes me that a Ferruginous Hawk, Redtail Hawk, Rough-legged Hawk and a Swainson's Hawk can all live together in harmony in one enclosure. To be able to walk through this enclosure with the hawks just a few feet away from you is incredible.

A more distant photo, showing the full body and tail.

I have seen maybe three of these birds in the wild but always from a great distance. They are rare to uncommon from April to September in Alberta, living in open grasslands, badlands and croplands. This one was seen in the aviary at the Calgary Zoo.

This hawk was in the aviary at the Calgary Zoo, perched on a log, when it leaned forward and stretched, giving the impression that it was in flight. These Rough-legged Hawks are from the North West Territories and Arctic region and come to western Canada and the USA during migration.