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, I hope I wasn't misunderstood in my previous comment.
DeleteI didn't mean to write that you shouldn't take photos. I wrote about a scene in the movie and about myself. The scene is an important part of the movie, which is about a real moment or a copy of it. It made me think.
The camera has become so attached to my hand that it can be called an addiction, but I don't want to be addicted to anything.
Yet I have to live with this addiction because I can't stop taking photos. Part of my life is capturing the moment and interesting things. I take photos for myself and for others to share with them what I've seen.
You usually visit my blog and you know how many pictures I have there to show my readers.
You too should take many more beautiful photos for your own enjoyment and for the enjoyment of all of us.
Thank you for reading this long comment of mine but I had to write again. Éva
I had not misunderstood at all, Éva. Sometime we even leave our cameras at home when we go for a walk. To enjoy the moment is more important than a picture.
DeleteDavid, thank you for your reassuring answer!
Delete...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.
ReplyDeleteI wouldn't even have known the owl was there minus the zoom close-up. You must have a very good eye for this.
ReplyDeleteYears of practice.
DeleteTotemic is a good word for these splendid, haunting birds. I have never seen one, but oddly enough there was one hanging around a parking lot here in WV.
ReplyDeleteWe were told there was a Snowy Owl on the waterfront when we were visiting in Chicago during Thanksgiving. Oh, I would have loved to have gone to look!
ReplyDeleteI’m amazed that you didn’t!
DeleteI almost missed that snowy owl...thought it's part of the snow :-)) We always go out for a walk on X'Mas and New Year...it's so nicely quiet. Happy New Year to you and yours, David.
ReplyDeleteHi David,
ReplyDeleteI also think snowy owls are among the most beautiful animals; sightings are impossible here where I live. Happy New Year to you and Miriam!
Regards, Frank
How beautiful that you are walking in nature with Miriam!!
ReplyDeleteThe snowy owl is incredibly beautiful, you are very lucky to have met her!!
I wish you good health, inspiration and creativity!!
What a beautiful photo of the snowy owl, David!
ReplyDeleteI've never seen one in real life, but I have seen one at a zoo.
I wish you and all your loved ones a happy, but above all, healthy 2026.
Best regards Irma
That owl is really amazing. Happy new year.
ReplyDeleteBetter than a Long-tailed Tit?
Delete¡FELIZ AÑO NUEVO, David!.
ReplyDeleteUn abrazo fuerte desde Segovia
Mis mejores deseos para este 2026.
ReplyDelete¡FELIZ AÑO NUEVO!
Un abrazo, David.
Oh, dear David, I found it in the first picture, the snowy owl, even if it was just a guess based on your hint... it's wonderful that you were able to take such a beautiful photo of the snowy owl. As its name suggests, it really does look like a little pile of snow in that field, so well camouflaged.
ReplyDeleteI wish you many beautiful and happy hikes and walks, with and without a camera... I'm all for it and look forward to seeing your photos.
All my love to you, Miriam, and all your loved ones.
Happy New Year.
Hugs from Viola
Seeing a Snowy Owl seems like it would feel like a magical experience! I have never seen one but know if I were to drive out of the city along country roads, I may have luck.
ReplyDeleteThank you for your visit David, and a very Happy New Year with good health and happiness for you and Miriam . Your Christmas day sighting of the Snowy Owl was a wonderous and joyful encounter. I would be ecstatic to see one in the wild .Lovely header. photo, too.
ReplyDeletehugs and kisses
Sonjia
As always, David, you show us the best parts of nature. I can't wait to see what you have for us this year. Wishing you and Mariam the very best for 2026.
ReplyDeleteThese are wonderful David :-D Happy New Year and all the best for 2026 :-D
ReplyDeleteSnowy owls are wondrous. Thanks for letting us tag along. Happy New Year to you and Miriam.
ReplyDeleteQuerido David me encanta esta rapaz, me parece preciosa, es como mágica. Buen paseo y preciosas fotos. Un enorme abrazo para ti y para Miriam.
ReplyDeleteWhat a gift to see that beautiful snowy owl. (And all else you enjoyed.) Wishing you a very Happy New Year!
ReplyDeleteA Snowy Owl on Christmas Day! What a wonderful gift. I have never seen one and I wonder whether I ever will.
ReplyDeleteThe comment by Éva caught my eye. She states a very interesting point. I completely understand her wish to take photos and that she simply can't stop doing that - I don't think it's an addiction at all, but a call to be creative and to create something beautiful. However, reading her description about that scene from the movie made me realize that I, too, sometimes on purpose leave my good camera at home and go out just with my phone, knowing that I'm simply unable to take certain photos with it, but on the other hand am able to fully enjoy nature without thinking of shutter speed, aperture and perspective. Those moments make some of the best memories.
Wishing you a happy and healthy 2026, with big hugs - Carola
What a great day…a Snowy Owl! Just perfect!
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year David and I have to say that first photo of yours is a framer. Absolutely gorgeous.
ReplyDeleteXO
WWW
Such a lovely capture of the owl in the header.
ReplyDeleteHappy new Year.
Hi David,
ReplyDeleteThe best thing to do is wishing you and Miriam a healthy and joyful 2026 with many attractive moments in nature. To find a snowy owl must have felt great, especially when it was the wish of the day. Anyway, winter has started. What will it bring us?
Greetings, Kees
An unexpected meeting!
ReplyDeleteHi David - my eyes must be good ... but I was happy to see the close-up - let alone your header ... (that's an amazing photo) ... so pleased you were able to catch these special birds. I saw a Spectacled Owl on VI in a raptors' recuperation centre - at least I think I did. Then of course my mind moved on to Paddington ... sorry!! That walk looked blissful and ideal for pre-Christmas checking out the scenery ... I always love the images you let us see, together with the snippets of information ... here's to a very happy NY to you and Miriam ... cheers Hilary
ReplyDeleteSharp eyes to see a snowy owl in the snow.
ReplyDeleteThe snowy owl is a beautiful bird. Seeing one is exciting. I've never seen one in the wild, only in your photos. Have a wonderful weekend.
ReplyDeleteGreat to see the slowly owl .... wishing you and all your readers family a bright and happy new year
ReplyDeleteFantastic!!! Snowy owl on Christmas Day ✨
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year!!
Maria
It is truly a majestic bird! Congratulations. Wishing you both a fantastic 2026!
ReplyDeleteCome on over, Guillermo. We’ll go and find one together.
DeleteTo see a Snowy Owl on Christmas Day ... how wonderful.
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year Wishes.
All the best Jan
What a magnificent bird! I remember the movie *The Big Year*, how much they searched for it. Very good record of the species. I just got back from almost a month-long trip; I spent Christmas in cooler weather, a few kilometers from the Southern Patagonian Ice Field, but not as cold as you. Greetings.
ReplyDeleteSounds like a very exciting trip, Hernán. I’ll look forward to seeing pictures and perhaps a video or two. I hope that you are keeping well. The news we get out of Argentina these days is generally not good. Saludos.
Delete