The owl irruptus makes me wonder what the abundance of squirrels is called after a mast year for the oaks (and if the squirrels travel south, too)
Keep us posted on seeing those owls and on the butterfly class! And though I haven't yet found a verb for the snow geese, last week I thought their movement looked like confetti in NYC streets when there's an updraft wind working.
I egretly await my tern to duck tradition and become more gullable. Herring these parts, there aren’t too many, but murre than many realize. Owl also be perched by the window, where snowy precipitation of joy might be expected, and I’ll likely grouse if only juncos show.
Snowy owls are spectacular but here in old growth forested Oregon we have our own Northern Spotted owl, a worthy bird! The cause of a great political battle decades ago between tree cutters and conservationists, I remember the caustic bumper sticker the former promoted:
“From a Snowy Owl’s eyes the Arctic speaks. Hypnotic and seductive, like bioluminescence or romance, the glow brings you immediate and ancient pleasure. From the intensity of this gaze you cannot look away. And yet from the owl there is no reciprocity. “
Hours spent creeping silently through the trees at the very edge of the forest line. Across the long expanse of a field , taking turn back and forth between squinting and binoculars.
Finally what looks to be a snowball on top an old fence post.
A whisper, Shhh… there it is.
Don’t even breathe , it will hear us .
We think we are so stealth .
Of course it knows we are here.
Finally , for just one moment we get a piercing yellow glance that says ‘you’re boring me’.
We sit breathless, like the end of the grand finale of an incredible fireworks display.
There has never been words to describe the feeling of making eye contact with such a magnificent bird .
Until now.
Thank you Brian ,
The whole post, just perfection !
Can’t wait to head out and pretend I am as quiet as the tiny prey it’s stalking.
Such an amazing owl - that photo is stunning. We have several Snowy Owls spend the winters here in the Ottawa Ontario Canada area as well. Such a treat to see and will be on the lookout in the coming weeks and months.
Those Snowy Owl yellow eyes are something else. Also their speckled marking looks a little like open-winged bird silhouettes! Seriously very excited for the upcoming 'Classroom', Bryan!
I’m almost certain I saw a snowy owl in a tree , in a field about 3 weeks ago in Berkshire County ( western ) Mass. I didn’t have binoculars with me but can’t imagine what else that very large white bird could have been.
Will there be snowy owls near Wilmington, NY / Lake Placid area this February? We are coming up from Florida and my little kids and I would love to see them. Any places in particular to look for them?
The owl irruptus makes me wonder what the abundance of squirrels is called after a mast year for the oaks (and if the squirrels travel south, too)
Keep us posted on seeing those owls and on the butterfly class! And though I haven't yet found a verb for the snow geese, last week I thought their movement looked like confetti in NYC streets when there's an updraft wind working.
I egretly await my tern to duck tradition and become more gullable. Herring these parts, there aren’t too many, but murre than many realize. Owl also be perched by the window, where snowy precipitation of joy might be expected, and I’ll likely grouse if only juncos show.
I will always be ready for snowy owls! I'd be amazed if they showed up in Florida but it might be too far south...
Snowy owls are spectacular but here in old growth forested Oregon we have our own Northern Spotted owl, a worthy bird! The cause of a great political battle decades ago between tree cutters and conservationists, I remember the caustic bumper sticker the former promoted:
I LOVE SPOTTED OWLS - FRIED!
passes for wit in some quarters....
A snowy owl favored a tree near me a few years back, and you post reminded me of what delight it brought. Thanks, Bryan
Gorgeous. I've never seen one in person but maybe someday! Your words will tide me over until then. (Including "gullable" 😂)
I hope they can keep snowy owls away from the Logan Airport in Boston, the owls go there because it is a big wide area
“From a Snowy Owl’s eyes the Arctic speaks. Hypnotic and seductive, like bioluminescence or romance, the glow brings you immediate and ancient pleasure. From the intensity of this gaze you cannot look away. And yet from the owl there is no reciprocity. “
Hours spent creeping silently through the trees at the very edge of the forest line. Across the long expanse of a field , taking turn back and forth between squinting and binoculars.
Finally what looks to be a snowball on top an old fence post.
A whisper, Shhh… there it is.
Don’t even breathe , it will hear us .
We think we are so stealth .
Of course it knows we are here.
Finally , for just one moment we get a piercing yellow glance that says ‘you’re boring me’.
We sit breathless, like the end of the grand finale of an incredible fireworks display.
There has never been words to describe the feeling of making eye contact with such a magnificent bird .
Until now.
Thank you Brian ,
The whole post, just perfection !
Can’t wait to head out and pretend I am as quiet as the tiny prey it’s stalking.
I am ready! We usually get them in my coastal town in Mass and also across the Merrimack River at the Parker River National Wildlife Refuge.
Such an amazing owl - that photo is stunning. We have several Snowy Owls spend the winters here in the Ottawa Ontario Canada area as well. Such a treat to see and will be on the lookout in the coming weeks and months.
They’re such majestic creatures! 🦉 how lucky that you get to spend time with them 🤍
Owls. ❤️🌱 Love them so much that I wrote this shortie: https://open.substack.com/pub/renegvolpi/p/conversations-with-an-owl?r=1mncrk&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web
Bring it on!
Those Snowy Owl yellow eyes are something else. Also their speckled marking looks a little like open-winged bird silhouettes! Seriously very excited for the upcoming 'Classroom', Bryan!
I’m almost certain I saw a snowy owl in a tree , in a field about 3 weeks ago in Berkshire County ( western ) Mass. I didn’t have binoculars with me but can’t imagine what else that very large white bird could have been.
Will there be snowy owls near Wilmington, NY / Lake Placid area this February? We are coming up from Florida and my little kids and I would love to see them. Any places in particular to look for them?