Northern Pygmy Owl Elk Mountain

[Dave]

Ed Klassen's Northern Pygmy Owl was in the clear cut area near the trailhead of Elk Mountain. Thanks for sharing the sighting, Ed!

The credit also goes to my wife for spotting it and we enjoyed the bird for 20+ minutes as it just looked around alertly at each bird chirp. We finally left the bird sitting there. The neat thing about Pygmy-Owls is that they never seem to mind humans. Although we were only 30 feet away it didn't seem to care we were there!

Here are a few pictures.






This picture shows the false eyes at the back of its head.


I just missed a few small bird remains getting tossed out in this picture!

[merlinator]

Nice find. Where exactly is the trail head and how far is the hike?

[kimbose]

wonderful photos Dave

[ed]

So Awesome Dave! Found it first try?

[Dave]

Thanks kimbose.

Roy, from Highway 1 if you head south on Prest Road until you reach Bailey Road, then left on Bailey which turns into Elk View Road as you head up the mountain. Stay on that road for 15 mins ignoring the many sidroads. Elk View turns into gravel and after a few minutes on good gravel there is a clearcut area. You can't miss the clearcut area. We saw the owl from our truck upslope from the road but I am sure anywhere in the clearcut and brush piles would be just as likely.

[merlinator]

Thanks Dave, heading there tomorrow.