Snowy Owl Art
Whoa, it is COLD out there! What month is this again? It feels like we went from summer to winter almost overnight. Regardless of the extreme temperature departures on both sides of the spectrum, next month is already the time to start thinking about Snowy Owls showing up in our region. Every year some of the species irrupts south into the continental United States, but the question is always how many young successfully fledged in the breeding season and how many decide to take a journey to see us. Until then you can come and enjoy some Snowy Owls on our walls in the Art and the...
Read MoreSnowy Owls Still Here
There are still Snowy Owls here with us, and there will be more to keep an eye out for as others are on the move back to the north. This bird was apparently spending some time on the shore after reading up – that sign discusses shellfishing, and it decided instead to do some duck hunting while wearing the perfect sort of winter camouflage. It is out of season…but this is one hunter I will not report. Scott Kruitbosch Conservation & Outreach Coordinator
Read MoreSleepy Snowy Owl
I recently found this Snowy Owl (Bubo scandiacus) taking a snooze on a cloudy and dreary sort of morning, sitting in the snow in some grasslands, blending in well with its surroundings. This bird looks to be an adult male with an almost all-white head and body. Despite how sleepy it was it stayed on guard, a silent and barely-moving sentinel occasionally turning its head to check something out with eyes still nearly entirely shut. There are still plenty of these visitors around, and soon enough they will be moving back to the north. Get out and find one! Scott Kruitbosch Conservation &...
Read MoreSnowy Owl in Flight
Let’s be honest – this winter has been absolutely brutal! Whether we want to blame this continuous weather pattern on climate change or not, this is not what the climate is supposed to feel like in mid to late February. As the sun keeps rising temperatures keep plummeting with record low minimums at night and record low maximums during the day. The snow keeps coming, and more will be coming this weekend. However, the Snowy Owls have been a bit tougher to find this year than last. Nevertheless, there are many individuals spending their season here in our neighborhoods, which look...
Read MoreCan You Spot the Snowy?
Can you spot the Snowy Owl (Bubo scandiacus) in this photo? The owl is relatively noticeable sitting along the edge of the field; however, they aren’t always very easy to see. This individual in particular is very white, blending in with the mounds of drifted snow nearby. It often takes a hard look to see these perfectly camouflaged predators sitting in a field or along a beach. Makes you wonder how many more Snowy Owls are in the area that just haven’t been noticed yet? If you decide to bundle up and search for some visiting species, remember to log your sightings in eBird and...
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