From Julie Smith

Today, I had the most wonderful opportunity to visit Moorehead Park in Ida Grove, lowa. This park is known for several owl species, including the little Saw-Whet Owl. I feel very blessed to have photographed my first owl in the wild. A tiny owl with a catlike face, oversized head, and bright yellow eyes, the Northern Saw-whet Owl is practically bursting with attitude. Where mice and other small mammals are concerned this fierce, silent owl is anything but cute. One of the most common owls in forests across northern North America (and across the U.S. in winter), saw-whets are highly nocturnal and seldom seen.