"A Sand County Almanac"

"THERE ARE SOME WHO CAN LIVE WITHOUT WILD THINGS AND SOME WHO CANNOT."
"FOR US IN THE MINORITY THE OPPORTUNITY TO SEE GEESE IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN TELEVISION.".....Aldo Leopold




"LOOK DEEP INTO NATURE, AND THEN YOU WILL UNDERSTAND EVERYTHING BETTER".....Albert Einstein


“Climb the mountains and get their good tidings. Nature’s peace will flow into you as sunshine flows into trees. The winds will blow their own freshness into you and the storms their energy, while cares will drop off like autumn leaves”.....John Muir


Friday, December 6, 2013

Wandering Snowy Owl

Snowy Owls have been reported in many locations, some hundreds of miles, south of their normal territory lately.  The one in the following photos was spotted yesterday just north of Frederick. 

The first photo was taken from a distance of about 400 yards.  I don't believe in trespassing to obtain a photograph, but that did not stop a few others who were present to view the owl...


I spent about 45 minutes alone with the owl, and was sorely tempted to approach closer for a better photo.  My personal sense of ethics dictates that what one does while no one else is watching is their true value.

Fortunately, the owl moved closer to the public highway this morning which allowed me to park off the traveled portion of the road and quickly take a few photos in the pouring rain...


I was using a 300mm lens, shooting handheld through my moon-roof.  I hope this bird will remain in the area for a while allowing for more opportunities to take photographs in better light...


 
If you would like to watch a video about the life of these arctic birds here is a link: http://video.pbs.org/video/2291436455/

Thanks for visiting.  Keep an eye peeled in your area for these interesting and beautiful birds.



5 comments:

  1. From the looks of facebook the snowies are showing up all over. Glad you got some unique captures. Maybe one of these days I'll get lucky and run across one!

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  2. Used to do educational programs and one of our permanent residents was a Snowy Owl. She was always very popular with the crowd, but your arm was really tired after several hours of holding her on the fist. A lot of stuff under all that white. ;-)

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  3. There is a virtual invasion of Snowy Owls in southern Ontario this year.

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  4. Yes, they have been reported in at least 12 Maryland counties this winter. I am looking forward to more sightings and photo opportunities.
    Steve

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