Northern Pygmy Owl

I rarely see these small and unobtrusive owls and when I do they’re generally sweeping in to pick off a small songbird in our yard. Sometimes they win, sometimes the songbird wins. On this particular occasion I was alerted by quite a commotion of Stellar’s Jays circling a tree. I grabbed the binoculars for a closer look, and there, on a dead branch of a cherry tree, was a Northern Pygmy Owl. Luckily, my camera was close by with the telephoto lens already on it. I only got a couple of shots before he tired of the harassment and flew.

These owls are very small, not much larger than a House Sparrow. But, what they lack in size they make up for in courage, often taking prey up to three times their size, like a Norther Flicker or even a chicken!

This painting is now for sale. I have it in this custom frame and mat. It’s about 12″ x 15″ on the outside with a triple custom mat. It’s under glass. I’m offering it for $295 with a bit of shipping (usually priority mail). If you’re interested, just email me at nancy@nancycherryeifert.com.

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