Hunting Gaze6U8A0563 by Daniel D'Auria Via Flickr: My first successful encounter with a pygmy owl was incredible, yet flawed. Twenty feet off the road and at shoulder height, the owl stood atop the branch of an old snag. It was hunting in a snowstorm. I wasn’t the only visitor to stop. A dozen other passers-by were mesmerized at the flurry of activity so close to the road. It might have been the best morning of a hundred visits to the park but for the fact that I had not driven alone. For on this occasion I had come with a coach and there was no place for the driver to park. A ranger showed up quickly, angrily threatening to ticket everyone involved. The hunting gaze of the owl made me feel twice as threatened. It was a great few moments and dozen snaps but I can’t help thinking of the opportunity lost.