Aegolius acadicus
Northern Saw-whet Owls are undoubtedly the most difficult species of bird I have had the privilege to photograph. These highly nocturnal birds are immensely secretive in nature and highly reliant on concealment to survive. By day, only dashes of white, chalky excrement pave the way to the darkest reaches of the forest in which they live. To this day, coming eye to eye with these tiny owls after hours of scrutinizing lowland temperate rainforests have been the most rewarding moments of my time spent photographing nature.