Snowy Owl

Snowy Owls are not really common in our area, but they have begun to show up more often.  A few years ago, we had what is called an "irruption," where large numbers of Snowy Owls appeared in areas much further south than usual. Project Snowstorm tracks these irruptions and explains: "It appears it’s not hunger that produces these mega-flights, but an absurd abundance of food during the summer breeding season. High populations of lemmings, voles, ptarmigan and other prey lead to large clutches of owl eggs. There is growing evidence that snowy owls from many parts of the Arctic may congregate to nest in areas where prey is abundant."

Whatever the reason, it was a rare pleasure to observe this exquisite bird today.