I Saw Whet First!

In February of 2021, Cory and I got a tip for where we might be able to find a very small member of the Owl family. We were told that this owl could be found in cedar trees at the Tamarack Nature Center, in Ramsey County, Minnesota. We were told to look for "white wash" (bird poop) on and around cedar trees and pellets of regurgitated bone matter and fur around the trees.

We were appreciative of the tip, directing us to the nature center, but were less appreciative of the white wash tip. I mean, really, look for bird poop on and around trees, go figure. We went out a couple of weekends in a row and were unsuccessful. I was so disappointed, and Cory snapped a picture of me and made meme out of me. Just before he took this picture, I said, "...."

Over the next two weeks, I received a more detailed tip about where to find this owl and on March 8th we were finally successful. As we drove to the edge of the park to the path designated by my acquaintance, Cory let me out and I began to walk toward the rough coordinates. Cory parked on the other side of the park, at the visitor center. He ran to catch up to me on the snow covered trails. Whatever, he needs the exercise!

Anyway, he caught up to me and we continued on. When we got to the rough coordinates, we found we were not alone in our pursuit. There were 3 other people walking around the general area described by my acquaintance as the area that this owl liked to hang out in. They were on the phone talking to someone who was trying to walk them onto the owl, apparently this owl really liked this spot and was loath to leave it. Despite this, no matter how hard the 5 of us looked, with the aid of a voice guide we could not find the owl. After about 30 minutes, another person showed, who had been at this spot earlier that morning. He came right over, went to a tree, plopped down and set up his camera and tripod. Sure enough the owl was right there and we had walked around the same tree and around the owl at least 10 times and did not see it once, not until then.

Can you find the Owl?

How about now?

Now?

This is the Northern Saw Whet Owl! It is the seventh smallest Owl in North America. The smallest in North America is the Elf Owl, which is smaller than half of an average adult palm and is a maximum of 5.5 inches in size. The Elf Owl is the smallest in the world in fact. While the Saw Whet Owl can grow to about 8.5 inches, slightly larger than the average adult palm, it is still nearly impossible to see, nestled amongst the branches of the cedar trees. Apparently, the Saw Whet gets its name because its call sounds like a saw being sharpened on a whet stone. But we did not get to hear its call, this owl was pretty soundless, almost motionless.

I am glad some one knew where it was, I was going to be very disappointed if I left with an empty memory card again. My card was far from empty on this day. I mean, c'mon, look at him, he is sooooo cute! Especially when it raised his leg to wipe or scratch his face, who could resist that face.

I spent several hours snapping away, the Saw Whet while cute, did not seemed bothered by us, in fact it just sat there snoozing mostly. Cory and I decided to leave the owl alone as the sun began to set. Besides, we were freezing. We were finally successful in our hunt for the Northern Saw Whet Owl! Hoot Hoot!

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