TomKal foto

Yes, it happens like that, when some dreams come true the new ones appear. To me wanderers were always the most desired, and right after them a few other species, including the Pygmy Owl. I kept trying to take at least one, the "opening" photo that could initiate formation of  the new gallery. My research I did among foresters, to get some clues where those owls could be found, was unsuccessful. The Pygmy Owl is the smallest diurnal owl and finding it in the forest is not so easy. Their weight is about 65 grams, with a wingspan of about 35 cm. It is therefore two times heavier than a sparrow, with a similar wingspan. This will give you an idea of ​​how tiny is this predator. Another problem is that the couple of owls inhabits the area of about 1-2 km2 and in Poland can be found few hundreds of couples like this - so trying to come across the Pygmy Owl is like looking for a needle in a haystack.  It’s high time to greet and express thanks to Rafał  who made me able to take and  present you those pictures and sounds of the Owl. Let’s come back to the point, to our little lovelies. Earlier I had read about the Pygmy Owl, admired photos taken by others, and yet the confrontation with the bird face to face astonished and surprised me. Similarly I was under the impression of the Kingfisher. Without zoom lens it would be hardly possible to enjoy the beauty of the Pygmy Owl, especially its piercing gaze. There is something extraordinary in her eyes, but only the close-up shows the charm of this bird. It is interesting that once you find it neither camouflaging nor the lookouts is needed, you can shoot freely. It seems to be a feature of boreal forest birds that are not afraid of people and ignore them. We stayed at a distance just in case not to disturb her and to take as many as possible the best photos.  And probably that's why I could publish so many pictures, not just the “opening” one, which until today was just a dream or desire. And here you are, we have a range of images for the “initial” gallery. Rafał, thank you again. It is interesting also that the Pygmy Owl is often accompanied by a flock of small birds (tits) that try to harass, disturb it. As I could make some observations it happens also with other predators. Very often ravens can be found next to eagles, magpies with buzzards. Maybe in the nature  more reasonable is to be near the predator than to be taken aback. Although in case of white-tailed eagles and ravens there is probably another relationship. Often at first ravens come flying to carrion and then white-tailed eagles are attracted by the presence of ravens.  The eagles take a place at the table chasing ravens, which react by harassing them constantly. But what we are talking about now is the Pygmy Owl not the Eagle. Tits are really playing with death, because the Pygmy Owl feeds on birds, small mammals, and can even hunt a bird bigger than itself, such as the Great Spotted Woodpecker. The crows of tits, uproar among goldcrests are not caused by the common feasting, but the desire to get rid of the aggressor. When talking about the Pygmy Owl it sounds quite funny, taking into consideration its size and my observations. I have published a picture of the Owl sitting on top of a spruce to give you an idea of ​​its size, to have a scale to compare, or rather to show what a tiny representatives of owls it is. Our most popular owl , a tawny owl is almost ten times heavier than the presented Pygmy Owl. I was immersed in shooting but luckily I did not forgot about the microphone and recording sounds of "my" Pygmy Owl. Of course, the recording would have been better and would have last longer if I had followed the Pygmy Owl with my microphone instead of taking photos. But still the most important were  photos. The session lasted for long enough to publish quite interesting, in my opinion, sound of the Owl, after clearing the recordings of the rustling our steps made and the "noise" that gave the camera shutter. The bird does not give out sounds continuously but after a few tones take a break for a few sequences, for several minutes. For the purposes of  the presentation  the voice is of course assembled without long breaks.
Well, here we have a new, the longed-for species, with a lot of pictures and additionally the sound recorded on my own, what a great joy, which I am happy to share with you - welcome...
Last minute neus – 04/2014 - Sweden
The Eurasian Pigmy Owl is difficult to observe. On our trip, it was not difficult, because it was surrounded by a swarm of little birds. The Owl was seated on a twig, the bullies surrounding it. Common Chaffinches, European Crested Tits and Goldcrests. I photographed Goldcrests many times. Once it was scared away by a dragonfly. The smallest European bird turned out to be a bully tormenting the Owl. Unfortunately, the capercaillies had not been seen fro 1.5 hour. However, the Eurasian Pigmy Owl appeared in three places, where I could take photos of it. It must have had its nest somewhere in the vicinity, as its sound woke me up early in the morning even before cranes, when I was staying in my tent. Well, it is a rare bird. This fact makes it even more beautiful. Its photos appear here among the latest shots.