Friday, January 03, 2020

Her Royal Highness Queen Scandiacus

02 January 2020

     There has been much made of the fact that the extinct Ivory-billed Woodpecker (Campephilus principalis) was known throughout history as "The Lord God Bird" based on the tendency of those who saw it to exclaim "Lord God, look at that bird!" Obviously those who did so had never come face to face with a Snowy Owl (Bubo scandiacus)!
     I have held a couple of Ivory-billed Woodpeckers in my hand, long dead admittedly, and while conceding that a museum skin does nothing to enhance the majesty of a specimen, in a cast of illustrious avian characters the Ivory-bill is relegated to the second row. Depending on my mood on a given day, it might even be shuffled back to the third row.
     But a Snowy Owl, male or female, is nothing short of royalty and occupies a permanent position at the head of the chain of feathered aristocracy. 
     We had family obligations yesterday so there was no chance to get out and search for a Snowy, but already into the second day of the New Year (new decade in fact) we knew that we had to go out and pay homage. 
     It did not take us long to find a splendid female, perched a little farther away than we might have liked, but permitting a clear line of sight nevertheless.





     She even put on a flight display for us, cruising right over the top of the car, and circling back to land somewhat closer. No doubt she knew we had come as pilgrims, motivated only by devotion, humility and respect, and she responded in kind. 
     Miriam's camera has a longer zoom than mine; moreover she is a more skilled photographer, and some of her pictures reflect these facts.





     I realize that this is the second of my three most recent posts about Snowy Owl but you can never exceed your capacity to dwell on one of nature's outstandingly beautiful creatures. Even when she looks the other way.



     Every time we see a Snowy Owl I am reminded of the pace at which its Arctic breeding grounds are changing, with melting permafrost and all the knock-on effects from that, including potentially devastating consequences for the Brown Lemming (Lemmus sibiricus), principal prey of the Snowy Owl. The future is not bright to put it mildly.




      My former mother-in-law, always derisive about interests other than her own, used to comment with a hint of scorn in her voice, "You go out and look at the same dicky-birds all the time." Well, I looked at the same damn mother-in-law didn't I? I will leave it to your good judgment as to which you would rather see.  Snowy Owl or mother-in-law? Royalty or peasantry? 



     Didn't take long for me to make up my mind!
David M. Gascoigne,
David M. Gascoigne,

I'm a life long birder. My interests are birds, nature, reading, books, outdoors, travel, food and wine.

98 comments:

  1. I will never get sick of posts about the Snowy Owl, they are beautiful and so Royal looking. As I have said before I am jealous of the viweing!! Keep well Diane
    P.S. I notice Google has changed my profile (sigh) will have to sort it out!

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    1. You wonder why Google does these things. To what end?

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  2. Really Royal Highness !!! Breathtakingly beautiful! And what fantastic to see such an owl in the snow! I envy you! Beautifully captured by Miriam. Thanks for sharing.
    Regards Maria

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  3. Hah! That’s funny, and no doubt you chose well.

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  4. Snöugglan är en aristokrat i fåglarnas värld, den som inte förstår det får sätta på sig en dumstrut - ett svenskt uttryck som är särdeles nedlåtande. Oroande att snöugglans boplatser är under attack och vår egen hjälplöshet inför vad som sker är ett mycket obehagligt tillstånd.

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  5. So beautiful. I have only seen them in the Zoo near here - and in the Harry Potter films! Regards, Valerie

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  6. What a majestic bird that seems to come directly from a Nordic fairy tale!

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  7. Stunning bird and great images!

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  8. David & Miriam, there is no doubt that is a beautiful bird, a true rival to the Motmot :)

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  9. Hello David, you are lucky to see the Snowy owl . I would have to drive 3 hours or more and walk miles to be in an area to see the Snowy Owl. They are beautiful! Gorgeous photos. Enjoy your day, happy weekend!

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  10. Prachtige opnames van deze sneeuwuil.
    Groet Kees.

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  11. Effortlessly beautiful. Proud bird.

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  12. Hello David, indeed Royalty as you say. I saw your answer on my reaction in your previous blog to come over. I wish I could but I am afraid it will not be possible. But thank you so much for asking.
    Regards,
    Roos

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  13. Ooooh. And aaah.
    And a few jealous thoughts.
    I would MUCH rather see a snowy owl than almost anyone of the human persuasion. And even those of our species that I love are not nearly so beautiful.

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  14. hello David
    you're right, you can't get enough of such a bird its beauty you rarely get in front of the camera and eyes
    This is how I felt here in Germany, where I found a tawny owl ... very nice
    Regards Frank

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    1. A Tawny Owl is not easy to find, Frank. I have only ever seen one.

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  15. Hello David,
    The Snow Owl are so beautiful, and so are the photos of it. She looks like a Snowqueen.
    Have a nice weekend!

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  16. C'est vraiment un oiseau magnifique, un des plus beaux!
    Bonne soirée

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  17. Those are just wonderful shots! And on top of the pose, a flight show? You are lucky people!

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  18. I’ll never tire of the Snowy owl photos!

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  19. A top shelf bird for sure, and beautifully photographed. I wonder if they ever come as far south as California?

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    1. I think the odd one has made it to Northern California, but they are extremely rare there.

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  20. Es majestuosa la estampa de ese Búho nival amigo David, no cabe duda que pertenece a la “Realeza.” Creo que realizaste una muy buena elección.
    Un fuerte abrazo querido amigo y compadre.

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  21. Querido David mi enhorabuena, creo que si me encuentro con este pájaro el corazón se me pondría a latir de manera desmesurada, es muy muy hermoso. Preciosas vuestras fotos. Un fuerte abrazo para los dos.

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    1. Maybe one day you will come to Canada, Lola, and I will show you some of our wonderful birds.

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  22. WOW! What a beautiful owl! LOVE these photos!

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    1. It's just a day's drive to southern Ontario, Michelle. Come on up and we will introduce you to one.

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  23. Stunningly beautiful!
    Happy New Year, David.

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  24. Once again wonderful photos - thank you.

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  25. Hi David.

    A beautiful bird, you have made beautiful pictures.
    And Miriam also great photos

    Greeting from Patricia.

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  26. Hello, David

    The Snowy owl is one of my favorite birds. If I come across one this winter it will be by pure luck. They are gorgeous owls, great photos. Thank you for linking up and sharing your post. Happy Saturday, enjoy your day and weekend. PS, thanks so much for visiting my blog.

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    1. Just plan a long weekend getaway in southern Ontario and I will take you to see one, Eileen.

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  27. Hello. Here in Finland the Snowy Owl is critically endangered. We have only 1-9 breeding pairs here. Beautiful owl.Beautiful photos.
    Happy New Year!

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    1. That is a distressingly low breeding population for a northern country like Finland.

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  28. What a beautiful snowy owl, I just hope it doesn't go away completely. She is a true queen of the air. Stunningly photos!!!
    greetings Elke

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  29. Oh gosh. Your former MIL sounds like my first one. She never liked me.
    Anyway, we've gone snowy hunting, but not this year. They are amazing. I enjoyed your commentary, too! You are droll.
    (ツ) from Cottage Country Ontario , ON, Canada!

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  30. Hi David,
    When you get to see such a beautiful bird I can imagine that you get thrilled. I wish they would show up with us. Enjoy as much as you can.
    Greetings, Kees

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  31. Great comment ... mine was odd, but I could manage her and it was 'brief'. Beautiful shots and I too would go with Snowy - she is a stunner, even when she turns her head ... and I note you don't get upset by that! Cheers ... and so pleased you went out again - Hilary

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  32. She is such a marvel! Stunning photos David!

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  33. Great bird, and indeed royal! Thanks for all the shots of her. I would have been so excited to see her!

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  34. The opportunity for an audience with royalty, such as this, cannot be ignored by anyone who is devoted to the avian world, David. I'm delighted that she graced you with her presence. Great photos too, particularly as most images of this species seem to show them on the ground.

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    1. We see them mostly on the ground, Richard, but over the years I have seen them on trees as here, on TV antennae, on fence posts, rooftops, light standards, and even once on top of an industrial building. Never in my back yard yet, however!!!

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  35. Breathtaking. As are your photos David!

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  36. Beautiful pictures of this magnificent bird. How lucky you are to see it in the feather.

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  37. Wow, she is brilliant photographer, well done Miriam.

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  38. I'm laughing...well, just a little! Of course these owl photos are spectacular! It really gives the photos contrast to have the bright sky and bare branches! Beautiful....I could go to view this owl any day....every day!

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  39. Hi, David,
    If I could go see the Snowy Owl every day, I would, too!
    The snow-feeding season is so short that we have to find lemmings fast.

    It doesn't take long to find this female ? How lucky ! She's gorgeous. If I ever come to Canada, I hope you can show me this winter beauty.

    You're going to Melbourne in July... some will be sad without life :(
    Big kisses my dear David

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    1. If ever you come, Nathalie, I will put myself at your complete disposal while you are here.

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  40. Que bien se divida el buho, entre las ramas esecas de esos desnudos árboles.

    Besos

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  41. A snowy owl is my royalty species, too. They are uncommon here on my south shore of Lake Erie, but these last several winters a few have been present. Again, not boding well for them.

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  42. Beautiful!
    Hope you are having a wonderful weekend!

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  43. What a great post - at present I have access to plenty of snow, but no owls! I suppose thats an interesting change! Hope all is well!

    Cheers - Stewart M - Tromso, Norway.

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  44. Me parece precioso y nunca me cansaría de verlo, aunque me dijeran que siempre veo los mismos. Un abrazo David.

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  45. Some really interesting shots of the beautiful owl!

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  46. This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

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    1. I wonder why? There was nothing controversial about the comment that I recall, and Corrie has been leaving comments for years.

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  47. Another beauty....I hope they can overcome the hardships they will be facing by adapting in some way. We are all in it together.

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  48. Oh don't get me started on MIL. I bet mine was more a hag than your former?!! Your Snowy ... she's a beauty. Lovely photos. And thanks for bringing them to our attention this week, at I'd Rather B Birdin

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  49. Beautiful series of images and your title captured it so well.

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  50. Truly stunning. Looks like a great painting to me.

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  51. Post on the snowy owl any day you like as far as I'm concerned! It's a stunner and one day perhaps I'll see one in person. The photos, as always, are perfect. And yes, you come in peace to pay homage. I do think they know. It's terrible, considering their future, to wonder if further generations will be able to admire this magnificent creature. But I suspect they'll last far longer than your ex-mother-in-law!

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  52. What a joy it must be to be able to pop out to see a Snowy Owl and find one too! I went out looking for Short-eared Owls at the weekend and despite being daily regulars over the past couple of weeks, they decided not to be whilst I was there!

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    1. Short-eared Owl would be more difficult for me, Pam. I used to have a reliable spot but the vegetational structure has changed over the years and the owls have moved on.

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  53. What a wonderful, and deserving, homage to royalty, David! Mothers-in-law, being a distinctly separate and wholly inferior species, could not be considered worth a walk across the room, much less through the snow.

    Too many posts about a Snowy Owl? Not possible.

    We hope your New Year is filled with more royalty, as well as Peace and Joy!

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  54. Sie ist so wunderschön, die Schneeeule !
    Ganz bemerkenswerte Fotos.

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  55. It is a wonder to be able to contemplate this owl, it does not surprise me that you do not get tired of seeing it, I would not get tired either. Nice photos with the snow background!
    Many kisses and hugs and my best wishes of happiness to you, Miriam and your family in this new year.

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  56. Hi Both,
    Another spectacular encounter, this time with the Snowy Owl, what a stunning and majestic bird with some superb images ,
    Maybe one will go off course and arrive in my area.
    All the best,
    John

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  57. A royal bird for sure----I will not comment on the ex-MIL. LOL
    MB

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  58. David - the Snowy is a majestic one, to be sure. What a joy it would be to see one in Montana! Thanks for linking to Mosaic Monday - in future posts that you link to the meme, could you please include one mosaic? Thanks, my friend!

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    1. Hi Angie: I had not realized that "mosaic" referred to the actual creation of a mosaic as part of the post. I thought the term represented a mosaic of blogs with different interests and viewpoints, kind of like the squares on a patchwork quilt. I have never created a mosaic on my blog, and have no plans to do so, not being especially enamoured of the technique. If ever I do I will be happy to return, in the meantime I will of course respect your rules and refrain from joining the meme.

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  59. What a stupendous creature! I love your photos. I've never seen one for myself, so thanks for sharing :)


    Join me at My Corner of the World

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  60. Hello David,
      the extinct woodpecker with Ivory beak (Campephilus principalis). I immediately looked it up on Google and this woodpecker is beautiful to see.
    What are also very beautiful are these pictures of the snowy owl. I love owls very much and this snow owl is really great to see in the great outdoors. What a lucky person you are to encounter this. I would really like to have your last photo on a painting :-))) Beautiful! . I'm really jealous of that :-)
    Kind regards from your friend from the Netherlands xo

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    1. One day you will have to visit, Helma, and we will go and find a Snowy Owl together.

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    2. That would be really great!
      I really love this beautiful snowy owl.
      With kind regards,
      Helma

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  61. Your post is a great addition to 'My Corner of the World' this week!

    My Corner of the World

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  62. These are beautiful. I have a fascination with owls but have never been able to photograph them. So majestic.

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  63. You know David, behind every successful man is a proud woman and a surprised mother-in-law. LOL
    Give me the snow owl ... What a majestic bird is that! LOVE these photos!
    Sorry to respond so late, but I didn't see your post. I don't think I was online!

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  64. Wow, this is beautiful David.
    Wonderful to just have the snow owl in front of the lens.
    This is pure enjoyment.
    Greetings Tinie

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  65. Stunning photos against the backdrop that Arctic breeding grounds are changing, knock on consequences across the world ... bushfires raging across Australia. Long may this Snowy Owl Queen be flying high.

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  66. No importa cuantas veces lo compartas David. A los que no estamos acostumbrados a verlo, nos encanta mirarlo. Es una maravilla.
    Buen jueves.
    Un abrazo.

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  67. Wow so beautiful animal~
    And beautiful photos too
    xx

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  68. WOW! WOW! WOW! What a beautiful owl!
    I love all of these photographs.

    All the best Jan

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  69. I first learned about the Ivory-billed woodpecker when I was introduced to the red-cockaded woodpecker in East Texas. As an aside, there are efforts being made to create forests there that will be congenial to that bird, and help to increase its numbers.

    The photos of the snowy owls are luscious. There are certain species that just are compelling, and this is one. Even having one of these turn its back to me would be reward enough for a long day in the snow!

    One other note about an experience today that pleased me no end. I heard some familiar sounds outside my window, looked up from my desk to the bird feeders I've mounted, and there were the chickadees. Some stayed around all afternoon, plucking seed and flying off with it. They seemed a little skittish, but they'll be back.

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  70. A magnificent, majestic bird.
    The sight of this wonderful owl is breathtaking.
    Hugs and greetings.
    Lucja

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  71. WOW! What a beauty! Certainly a sight to behold!

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  72. Just finding time to catch up. Ditto everyone's coments. Magnificent royal beauty!

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