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With snow in the forecast I got out early this morning to check out a new location for the Northern Saw-whet Owl. At this location, the very last tree I was going to check out, here is a Northern Saw-whet Owl just looking at me. I’m like are you kidding me? I quickly backed up, looked the situation over not wanting to disturb this owl. This bird was very much in the open from the side of the tree I was on. I took a couple of photos and left the area. I think I’m beyond lucky finding these owls this year as this is #3 in just 35 days. They are so cute and it is so much fun finding these tiny owls! It was snowing when I left this location with some breeze and temps around 28 degrees. Image was taken on December 19, 2024.

The Northern Saw-whet owl with light snow…

In my continued search of the Northern Saw-whet Owl I came across another one today. I’ve looked hard for the last 6-7 weeks. It was a new location in SE Wisconsin. This Northern Saw-whet Owl was really tucked away in this tree, I almost missed it. To look up and see this tiny owl with a cat like face looking at you is so exciting. When I got the surprise of seeing it looking at me, like always, I take a deep breath and then back up away from the bird just to get a grip of the setting and not wanting to disturb it too. I looked around to find an opening in the branches and took the shot. When I was walking away it appeared to have its eyes mostly closed. I tell anyone who wants to see one, keep looking, don’t give up, they are around us. Most of them I have found seem to be about 7′-8′ high in the tree. It was mostly cloudy with temperatures around 30 degrees, with some wind. Image was taken on December 17, 2024

The Northern Saw-whet Owl tucked away in the tree…

I have been looking for the last few weeks for the Northern Saw-whet Owl. Today I was rewarded finding one in a pine. It is a feeling like no other. When you are digging around in parks etc and you look up and you are looking one, it is like your heart sinks. A lot goes through your mind in split seconds. Then you take a breath, hold the camera up and take a couple of shots. And that is how it went finding this tiny owl about 8″ tall. One of the worlds smallest owl, these owls are nocturnal hunters that are fierce and silent. They hunt mice, small mammals, small birds, and sometimes insects. I will tell anyone, they are out there, sometimes you have to look in the places most people don’t. It was a cloudy day, mild temps around 50 degree, low winds. The images were taken in Southeastern Wisconsin on November 15, 2024.