Saw Whet Owl in Rain

The Saw Whet Owl is a tiny owl usually found in the boreal forests of Southern Alaska. 

The year I drew this owl, I had a chance encounter with one under the rock out cropping that I often camp under on top of our little “mountain”, Toghotthele, at Nenana. I almost mistook the tiny Saw Whet for a regular bird as he was only slightly larger than a robin.  He was given away by his large head and beautiful big eyes.  Like most smaller birds, he had quick and twitchy movements.  We looked at each other for and moment before he flew to a branch nearby.  Then he looked back at me before disappearing down the mountain.