Northern Pygmy-Owl looking for its next meal

A Northern Pygmy-Owl flew in to perch on a snag perhaps 20 m away from where we were standing at the Oxbow Loop Trailhead. It only stayed there a few minutes before it flew straight towards us to perch on a small, leafless tree just 2-3 m away, right at eye level. It spent several minutes looking around, mostly toward the ground. It obviously had seen something we did not and continued to focus on where its possible prey had gone. We looked away to where some Red Crossbills had been calling, but when we once again looked toward the owl, it had gone. But, not far! I noticed one of the fronds of a sword fern right in front of us was wriggling. Suddenly, it jumped back up into the same small tree, holding a mouse! It moved it around a couple of times to secure its grip, then took off into the woods to finish its snack.

[FeathersinWild]

Lovely footage of Pygmy owl.. like it my friend.

[SuzanneGaiasKindredSpirit]

I especially appreciate the story behind the footage; it gives perspective!