Anne Elliott's photos with the keyword: P1410240 FZ40

A photo of a beautiful Great Gray Owl from my archives, taken on 25 June 2012, on a drive NW of Calgary. They have tremendous concentration, barely taking their tiny eyes off the ground when they are in hunting mode. "The owl has been called a wise bird for the same reason that some men are thought to be wise — he looks wise. One reason he looks so steadily at you that you think he is studying you is because the light is so strong in the daytime that his sight is bad. But the owl is not as wise as he is said to be." From www.birdnature.com/feb1899/owls.html "In ancient Greece, owls were associated with Athena, the goddess of wisdom. She was thought to be accompanied by one at all times, and owls eventually gained their own reputation based on their connection with the goddess a myth that continues to this day. There is also the common belief that owls simply "look" smart! Unlike most birds, owl eyes are placed on the front of their heads (versus on the sides) to help them focus on prey when hunting. This wide-eyed glance gives them the impression of thinking really hard when, in reality, they are most likely just thinking about their next meal!" From www.whyzz.com/why-do-people-think-owls-are-smart