I went upstairs to visit my wife. Happened to glance out window entering the room at leafless Norway Maple. Spied the backside (description: puffy round brown ball with narrow tail cocked to the side, photo below from another day and location) of a Northern Pygmy Owl (
Glaucidium gnoma).
I quickly galloped back downstairs to retrieve camera and binoculuars. Hurried back up the stairs and looked out the window and...it was gone! Retreated once more downstairs and out the back door. Scanned treetops downhill for perched bird, nada. Then heard chickadees calling uphill from me. Knew the bird was there instead, birds were "mobbing" owl. Back through the house and exited the front door now looking at neighbors yard. Within seconds a small, dark, tailed bird darted out from dense branches on my left and flew in front of me in diagonal course exhibiting a slightly undulating flight. Was quickly out of sight heading downhill to my right. For sure not the best of sightings or endpoints, still a learning experience. Lke many other endeavors, birding doesn't always engender perfect outcomes. But you now know looking out the window has purpose and is not just day dreaming :-)
