WilderNest

What are the odds of spotting a hidden owl while out on a simple trail run? Less than two weeks out of the nest, a fledgling Northern Saw-whet Owl perches just above ground-level on the lowest bough of an Engelmann Spruce in BC's Central Interior.
Despite the often fruitful, albeit tedious nature of focused and deliberate scouting for photo opportunities, the simple act of just spending a ton of time in the field can sometimes lead to some fortuitous moments. During one of our spring workshops, while idling at a forest road junction, waiting for our group of vehicles to reassemble, Connor Stefanison and I took notice of a handful of robins making a fuss nearby.
This is pretty typical at dusk—often resulting from males reestablishing their territorial bounds just before nightfall. Occasionally, however, this is a mobbing response to a predatory bird in their vicinity. Could this be one of those rare moments?
Upon investigating, I managed to spot an adult Northern Saw-whet Owl hidden deep within a small patch of conifers. I grabbed a headlamp, our workshop participants had a brief look, then we went on our way. Connor ended up passing by this same area some days later during a trail run, and to his credit, amazingly spotted two fledgling Saw-whets at jogging pace (him, not the owls) within the same patch of conifers.
Throughout the following two weeks, I spent a fair bit of time tracking the movements of what ended up being five young, in addition to their dad. As they became increasingly proficient in flight and, as a result, more independent, they began roosting separately and coalesced only right before dark at key sites.
Here, their quiet but persistent insect-like begging calls would assist the adult male in finding them in near-darkness to deliver prey. He acted as their sole provisioner, with his mate having moved on to recoup her body condition, or potentially initiate a second clutch at a new nest site. Have you ever had a wildlife encounter that felt too good to be true? Share your story below.

A cruel practice, centuries in the making, has just been outlawed for good.
California just became the first U.S. state to ban fur trapping, and it signals a significant shift in how we're rethinking our relationship with wildlife. The law prevents hunters from trapping animals like foxes, bobcats, and coyotes for commercial fur sales—a practice that's caused unnecessary suffering for centuries.
But this isn't just about animal welfare.
What's interesting here is that this isn't just about animal welfare, though that matters deeply. It's about a broader cultural movement toward recognizing animals as living beings worthy of protection rather than commodities. Animal welfare organizations are calling it a major step forward, and it opens the door for other states to reconsider their own wildlife protection laws.
This is what happens when communities decide their values matter more than tradition.
Do you think other states will follow California's lead? Share your thoughts below.