Sunday, January 09, 2022

Say Hello to Ookpik

      Ookpik is the name given to the Snowy Owl (Bubo scandiacus) by the Inuit people of the north, and it has a lovely sound to it. I have never quite understood why the indigenous birds of the Hawaiian Islands have been universally accorded their Polynesian names, yet elsewhere English names (for the English-speaking world of course) are used. Furthermore, it is easy to say Ookpik, whereas some of the names of Hawaiian birds are almost impossible to pronounce, let alone remember!


     Snowy Owls herald the beginning of spring for the Inuit as the birds return from the south to occupy the tundra where they breed. Here they are dependent on the Brown Lemming (Lemmus sibiricus) to feed themselves and their young, and the relative abundance of lemmings weighs heavily on their breeding success.
     When they appear in southern Ontario, as they do every winter, they are catholic feeders, taking any prey they can capture. Waterfowl feature prominently in their diet.


     This female at Bronte Harbour in Oakville, has captured a Mallard.


     Snowy Owls occupy a prominent place in Inuit oral tradition, and in the shamanism of these northern people. In some cultures they are believed to transport the spirits of deceased humans to the afterworld.
     Inuit artists have gained international recognition in recent years, and their work commands high prices at art auctions. 


     Lucky is the fellow who acquired a print or a soapstone carving before the market woke up its visual and creative beauty.


     Carvings in ivory made before it was banned are especially cherished. I have seen exquisite work worth more than my house!
     For Miriam and me a Snowy Owl is more than a handsome bird. There is a mystical lure attached to our annual quests to see these birds, and the first sighting (we saw two a couple of days ago) of the winter is a very special event. There is a majesty about a Snowy Owl not quite found in other birds.


     The big female shown above provided a unique kind of rapture for us for several weeks, and she could be seen no more than twenty minutes from our front door.
     It is not lost on us that the ability to see these magnificent birds regularly is a very special privilege.


     Most birders throughout the world will never see a Snowy Owl, and I know that it is on the list of the most-wanted species of the universal birding community.


     I have seen toucans and parrots, albatrosses and eagles, sunbirds, hummingbirds, hornbills and cockatoos, cotingas and manikins - and all are very grand and shine in their respective landscapes. But if I had to make a choice, with no avenue to avoid it,  Snowy Owl would top my list.


     I think that's what living in the north will do for you.


     Thank you, Ookpik, for all the joy you have brought me! See you again very soon!

David M. Gascoigne,
David M. Gascoigne,

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

85 comments:

  1. Hari OM
    ...and thank you Ookpik, for inspiring David to this post!!! YAM xx

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  2. Great post!
    The owl is actually the bird that most fascinates me both for its aspect and for its many esoteric and philosophical meanings.

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  3. They are beautiful critters.
    We did the trip to Amherst to see them. I was so disappointed, though, with crazy birders disrespecting property. It was a cold winter day, and the ice froze on the car on the ferry ride. I don't think I'd go back.

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    1. It's a small minority, but they do cause problems sometimes. We plan on going there next weekend and hope that all will be peaceful.

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  4. Lucky, lucky you - and us for seeing this beauty even second hand.

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  5. While I love the sound of Ookpik and can well understand the mystique which has grown up around such a charismatic species, it would be odd to adopt an Inuit name when an English one was already in existence, as they occur in the north of Scotland. I just wish that one would someday deign to visit us a little further south.

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  6. Ookpik - what a wonderful word! And what a fascinating culture it comes from.

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    1. A culture we have decimated and degraded unfortunately.

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  7. David, I love the Ookpiks you have shared, they are so beautiful. From now on I will always call them Ookpiks, and I would love to see them in their natural habitat. Thanks for sharing, have a great day, take care! Hugs, Valerie

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  8. I am waiting to see my first owl. An Ookpik would be a miracle. They are seen on the island occasionally though.

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    1. You will just have to come to Ontario, Marie. Right now I could almost certainly show you a Snowy Owl and an Eastern Screech Owl, and with a little persistence probably a Short-eared Owl too.

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  9. Amazing, fantastic, stunning, awesome.
    Simply beautiful.

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  10. I agree with you David, because the Snowy Owl is so beautiful. It lives far north in Norway too, bur now it is on the red list (treatened, vulnerable). I hope they will survive.
    Warm hugs, Marit

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  11. Ces chouettes sont vraiment les plus jolies du monde! <3
    Les photos sont magnifiques, merci du partage!

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  12. giggling, at first glance I thought it was a snowman. :) But it was a beautiful owl :)

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  13. Ookpik has a very nice physiognomy.

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  14. They are so beautiful that they don't even look real! I've only seen one, years ago on a hike in Colorado. Thanks for sharing and for the information too. You always write the best posts!

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  15. Fabulous photo's. The first one doesn't look real. I clicked on it to see the picture larger. The Owl looks like a snow sculpture at first.
    Sandy's Space

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  16. Querido David sin duda este es el Búho mas hermoso que existe. Me habría encantado ver los dos ejemplares que visitaron Asturias, no pudo ser. Las fotos son maravillosas. Un enorme abrazo para ti y para Miriam.

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  17. Your photographs are fabulous. Loved seeing the snowy owl up close and thanks for visiting Buttercupland.

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  18. Beautiful bird David. I used to fly one for the visitors in a wild life sanctuary. A very pleasurable experience. Take care.
    Mike.

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    1. You are fortunate to have had that kind of close contact, Mike.

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  19. I'm with you about the snowy owl, or ookpik. Thanks for the name, I like it. These owls are gorgeous birds, especially the pure white one. We occasionally get them down at the coast, and I have seen them a few times. I imagine you see them most winters. They are one of the thrills of this season. Hope January is going well and happy new week. hugs-Erika

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    1. I hope they visit you this winter, Erika. If not you will have to spend a long weekend in southern Ontario and we will show them to you!

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  20. A snowy owl habited the top of a phone pole on a medium sized country road, looking for vermin in the farmer's field. How we watched for him every winter. What a mini traffic jam he could cause.

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  21. They are regal and absolutely stunning! :)

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  22. I have only ever seen one here in captivity, guess it means I was lucky to see it, but captivity is not where it should be unless it is unable to fly. I would dearly love to see one in the wild but it is highly unlikely that it will ever happen. Thanks for sharing these fabulous photos of a very beautiful bird. Have a good week, Diane

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    1. Since you are only fond of temperatures that melt butter, I suspect it is indeed unlikely that you will see one, Diane! Richard Pegler saw one (his only one ever if I am not mistaken) on the Scilly Isles a couple of years ago and got some stunning pictures.

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  23. Hello David,:=) Beautiful photos of the Snowy Owl. The first time I saw one,I could not take my eyes off it for sheer pleasure. Unfortunately it was in an Avery, but looked well, and I did think it had an air of mystical beauty about it. Lovely post about the Snowy Owl, and what I now know is also called Ookpic.

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  24. Love this post. Haven't thought about the significance to the Inuits and their artwork, until you mentioned. Snowies are such a breath-taking sight, we are so lucky to see them in Ontario.

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    1. Great to hear from you, Adrienne. Hope that all is well with you.

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  25. Bonjour David,
    Tout d'abord je te souhaite à toi ainsi qu'à Miriam une très belle année avec de nombreuses observations.
    C'est vrai que cet Harfang est superbe. Sa survie est difficile ! Il est dit qu'il adaptera son régime alimentaire pour pouvoir survivre.... l'espèce seule peut le confirmer.
    Il y a eu un individu il y a deux en France. Sur les îles du Pertuis. Il y avait du monde partout.
    Je te fais de gros bisous et te dis à bientôt ♥

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  26. Wow, beautiful photos of the Snowy Owls. They are being seen here now too, One was perched on the Union Station in Washington DC. Waiting for the train, I guess. Have a great day!

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  27. Hi David.

    Great beautiful Owl.
    Beautiful photos.
    And beautiful woodwork.

    Greetings from Patricia.

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  28. For one very brief second there I thought that the 'Ookpik' Snowy Owl was a small snowman!
    I have an exquisite soapstone Inuit carving my husband bought, with help from my Canadian sister-in-law, over 50 years ago. It cleverly combines both a bird and fish carved out of the one piece of soapstone which has exquisite colour striations.

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    1. You are very fortunate to have this wonderful soapstone carving, Rosemary. Perhaps take a picture of it sometime and feature it on your blog. I'd love to see it.

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  29. Talk about camouflage, the Oopik will be impossible to find. Its eyes are just 2 slits. They are indeed beautiful birds and worth while of your choice. Isn't it amazing they can keep their feathers so pure and white as the snow surrounding them. Nature is wonderful

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    1. They do camouflage very well against the snow, but over many years you develop a bit of an instinct to knowing where they might be, and while they are rarely easy to find, it certainly increases your rate of success.

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  30. Wat bijzonder. Jij had geluk! Prachtige foto.

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  31. I always smile when I see photos of them with those closed, slitty eyes. They don't seem malevolent, but thoughtful. On the other hand, with opened eyes, they're even more beautiful. I've read posts from a couple of people in Michigan and Kansas who've been spending a lot of time on the road following reports of sightings: lucky you to have such opportunities, and lucky us that you share them.

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    1. We are very lucky. I could leave right now and probably see one within the hour. It is the right kind of day too. The air temperature is minus 12C; with the windchill factored in minus 20. Prefect for a Snowy Owl.

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  32. Top of my list too! Thanks, as usual, for sharing your vast knowledge with us David :)

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  33. I should think that if I ever am lucky enough to spot a Snowy Owl, I will be frozen to the spot, unable to breathe or take my eyes away. You are both so very fortunate. I love that first photo where he looks a bit like a snowman. A very wise one! What a treasure, the Ookpik. I would say you had a very good birding day. And now, we have, too.

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    1. You probably stand a good chance in Michigan, Jeanie.

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  34. Wonderful post. I am happy to say that I have seen snow owl many times. I never get tired of seeing them. Have a great day today.

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  35. Ookpik has an earthy sound about it that seems to suit this bird. I like the local names for birds and plants as they are often much more descriptive of a species.
    Many of our birds are known by their Maori names, some by their European names, and others by both! Not many of us use their Latin names.
    Keep on enjoying seeing your beautiful Ookpik :)

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  36. Queridos amigos, la primera vez que vi este búho nival en una de tus entradas quedé fascinado y lo sigo estando, es una rapaz maravillosa. Probablemente no la identificaría en plena nieve, su aspecto de camuflaje es preciso y potente. Una verdadera joya.
    Gracias por mostrar de nuevo.
    Un gran abrazo y todo mi afecto queridos amigos y compadres.

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  37. How beautiful he is! At first I thought it was a snow sculpture!

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  38. I'm totally with you on the Snowy Owl, David, and I have no doubt whatsoever that me seeing that Snowy Owl on the Scillies, and getting a rather satisfying photo too, will forever be the biggest highlight of my birding life.

    I have to admit, however, that before I grasped the subject of this post from you, as I scrolled down and the first image came into view, I thought for a millisecond that you were showing a photo of a fat Ontario snowman!

    Best wishes to you both - - - Richard

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  39. Very informative blog David. You and Miriam did an outstanding job photographing these beauties. Thank you for sharing.

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    1. These birds look good just by being there, Carol!

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  40. Great pic. The birds are very beautiful. Happy new year

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  41. What a lovely name! And how beautiful!

    I would love to see one in the flesh.

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  42. Ohhhh, she/he seems to smile!
    I loved the book on Wesley, the owl.

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  43. Hi David - those are all stunning photos and I would totally love to see one in the flesh. Interesting history about the name ... I wonder if because we used the Linnaeus system of naming our species across Scandinavia and Europe, which was then exported elsewhere, it has become accepted, as the importance of the Inuit and indigenous language has only recently being realised.

    Delightful and so interesting to see - cheers Hilary

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  44. Happy new year David, hello Ookpik, Beautiful photos of the snow owl, I am a little jealous.

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  45. What magnificent birds! I'm pretty sure I'm one of those who won't ever see a snowy owl in person, but your photos convey just how glorious they are.

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  46. Tienes mucha suerte querido amigo, por aquí no puedo verlos, pero no pierdo la esperanza de verlo alguna vez. De momento me conformo con la lechuza, que también es blanca, anoche la escuche cuando pasó por la calle. Abrazos.

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  47. Simply magnificent!

    Undoubtedly, one of the highlights of my outdoor experiences. Upstate New York 1968.

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  48. Wonderful to have a Snowy Owl in front of the lens David.
    Great photo too, they are quite big.
    Greetings Tinie

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  49. I read just today that there is one in the nations Capital, Washington DC. We sometimes will get one further south where I live, but I have yet to see them!

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  50. Ookpik is a lovely name, and all of these photographs are fabulous.

    All the best Jan

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  51. Hi David,
    I can imagine that you are enthousiastic seeing this bird in the wild. I have only seen this bird in captivity and I was impressed. Unfortunately it seldom shows up in the West of Europe, so my chances of seeing the bird in free nature are very low. Hopefully you get the chance to see these owls more often in the coming weeks.
    Greetings, Kees

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  52. This snowy owl is beautiful. Thank you for sharing the photos of the owl.

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  53. Hi David,
    It is fantastic to be able to see this great Owl!!!
    Compliments for Miriam, great photo!!
    I have only seen these big Snowy Owls in a Zoo!!
    Regards,
    Maria

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  54. Actually hard to tell at first glance whether that snowy owl is real of made of snow! lol

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  55. When I came to Lewis just under half a century ago we had a Snowy Owl. Our house, very unusually for the time, had some conifers. There was evidence, although I never saw the owl myself, that the owl had roosted in our trees. Unfortunately it met its end not long after.

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    1. I'd be willing to bet that half century has gone by in the blink of an eye.

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  56. Fantastic species, I would love to see it one day, it is one of the most beautiful owls that exist. It also reminds me of the movie "The Bigt Year", where it was the most difficult species to find and in the end Bostik was able to find it

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  57. Undoubtedly an exceptional and beautiful bird, this year in November there was a sighting of two specimens in Asturias (Spain) and hundreds of bird lovers came to try to immortalize this possibly unique moment in their lives. Unfortunately in the few days that the sightings occurred I could not travel to the places of the sightings. A big hug David

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    1. You will have to come to Ontario in the winter, Julio, and we will help you to find one.

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  58. Beautiful! Occasionally they make it down as far as Maryland where I have good views of them (usually well-marked first winter birds).

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  59. Chciałabym zapytać David, czy mogę wykorzystać jako model jedno z Waszych zdjęć ze sową śnieżna. Pewna dziewczynka poprosiła mnie o namalowanie sowy jak z Harrego Pottera. Niestety w Polsce ich nie ma i nie mam jej zdjęcia.

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    1. By all means, Ludmila. Feel free to use them as you wish. Be sure to post a picture of the result!

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