Miriam and I often get out into the country on Christmas day; it is generally quiet as most people are at home enjoying their festivities.
We had not seen a Snowy Owl (Bubo scandiacus) this winter and went on a search in some of our favourite places - areas where we have found this magnificent bird in years past.
It did not take us too long to locate one, quietly resting in a field, conserving energy for its night-time hunting activity.
This is what we saw.
As you will note, the bird was quite far off.
Thank goodness for the zoom on modern cameras.
A Snowy Owl is a very special bird, verging on totemic. We have seen many of them, but it is always a very special experience to see one again.
As we were searching for more owls we went through the town of Glen Allen and the river was still mostly open and looking very picturesque.
Common Mergansers (Mergus merganser) are often located here, and today was no exception.
They were joined by a lone American Herring Gull (Larus smithsonianus). We were unable to get a decent picture, so I am using one from the archives taken at the same location several years ago.
Most years a sizeable population of Rough-legged Hawks (Buteo lagopus) is present in our area, but the birds are very wary and hard to photograph.
We were unable to turn up any more Snowy Owls but we ended the day with a Merlin (Falco columbarius).
It had been a good day for raptors and we were very happy with our Snowy Owl.
Rest assured that we'll be searching again soon!
David. Miriam desde Béjar os deseamos un Feliz 2026. Que este que nos llega traiga mucho y bueno para todos.
ReplyDeleteUn abrazo.
You are truly a lucky man, David! I wish I had been there and seen it myself. It is a very beautiful bird. It breeds in the north of Norway too.
ReplyDeleteYou are truly a lucky man, David! I wish I had been there and seen it myself. It is a very beautiful bird. It breeds in the north of Norway too.
I wish you and Miriam all the best in 2026!
Hugs and kisses, Marit
How great to see a snowy owl on Christmas Day!
ReplyDeleteHari OM
ReplyDeleteWhat gorgeous winter images - and a very fine header for the season! All the very warmest to you both for the turn of the calendar! YAM xx
David, while I'm waiting for midnight, I'm also reading blogs.
ReplyDeleteI was happy to see the snowy owl, which blends so beautifully into the white snow. You noticed it anyway!
I don't know if you've seen the movie " The Snow Leopard"?
There's a photographer in it who wants to take a picture of the leopard at all costs.
When he finally sees it after a long time, he doesn't click because he doesn't want to spoil a live spectacle by pressing the button.
I'm waiting to get to the point where I can enjoy anything without taking pictures.
Unfortunately, I haven't reached that point yet. I don't know if I ever get there, because pictures also attract me.
And I enjoy looking at your photos too. Thank you for them. Éva
...David, see a Snowy Owl is a fabulous Christmas gift.
ReplyDeleteIndeed it is, Tom.
DeleteI would be super excited to see a snowy owl. I have never seen any owl in the wild. It's amazing that you spotted that one in the snow..Sounds like a wonderful day!!!
ReplyDeleteWell, if you go to Florida for the winter you are never going to see a Snowy Owl. It should be easy though, in south Florida, to see at least Burrowing Owl and Barred Owl. Others, too, but more difficult to find than Burrowing and Barred.
DeleteWhat a special sighting to have on Christmas Day.
ReplyDeleteDid you see them when you lived in Alaska, Bill?
DeleteQue preciosidad ese Búho, me encantaría verlo. Feliz Año Nuevo lleno de salud, amor y paz. Abrazos.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you zoomed in because I wasn't sure I was seeing an Owl. I thought maybe you were messing with us for your last post of the this year; and that maybe what I saw was just a little pile of snow. Great pictures as always. Glad you found your owl before the close of the year. Happy New Year to you.
ReplyDeleteSandy's Space
I would love to see the snowy owl, this one is so beautiful. I read the comment about not taking a photo to break the moment. I don't think I could even not take a photo. share those moments for those of us who will never see what you see.. I remember my excitement the first time I heard and saw 2 small screech owls in our tree out front, I stalked them every time I heard them, no photos because it was to dark but I loved to stand hear and see...keep the photos coming
ReplyDeleteBefore the days of digital cameras I had many years of signings without photographs, but I doubt that will happen again!
DeleteWonderful Snowy Owl and a great Merlin as well. Those two alone would make for a great day of birding. Happy New Year to you and Miriam.
ReplyDeleteI always think seeing an owl, of any variety, is a special moment. This one is beautiful!
ReplyDeleteI agree, Michelle. Any owl sighting is a momentous event.
DeleteWow, David, that is one beautiful owl. I've never seen one except at the zoo, though I hear them all the time in our woods. I hope you have a great New Year.
ReplyDeleteThat is a lovely owl. Why is it they take to fields to rest? Why not trees?
ReplyDeleteThey spend most of their lives on the treeless tundra, so these fields are familiar to them.
DeleteThat's truly marvelous and an incredible gift on Christmas Day :)
ReplyDeleteBeautiful! Happy New Year to you, David.
ReplyDelete