Three Snowy owls on the 30th
Just before New Year’s Eve, I headed east and ended up spending all of the daylight hours on the prairies. During the day I came across three Snowy owls in separate locations. The first was perched on a telephone pole keeping an eye on the coming dawn and the snow below. She flew in front of me when a loud truck passed by which afforded me a great angle to photograph her.
She glided to a fence post in the middle of a nearby field. On her way she crossed the eastern sky which framed her wonderfully.
With a great start now in hand, I carried on and ended up returning to the field where I have been fortunate to photograph one Snowy a few times (one, two, three and four) already this winter. I found that owl about an hour after sunrise. She was comfortably resting on another telephone pole. I say comfortably because she stayed in the same spot for the next 85 minutes.
Happily for me, it was not the deep freeze we have had regularly so far this winter so I was relatively comfortable while I waited.
A couple more hours went by after that, punctuated by three flights between high points around the field. That’s a lot of waiting for a little action but I don’t mind. I certainly have a lot of time to let my mind wander and to think about things at length – a luxury these days. And, when the launch occurs, I love watching Snowy owls in flight. Especially when they are framed against a clear blue sky.
I hope for a look from the owl during these flights – eye contact makes for more compelling images but often that doesn’t happen as they fly in the wrong direction or have their eyes focused on something else. Look or no look, I enjoy watching and click when I see an interesting wing angle, body position or something else that seems interesting to me.
The days are short at this time of the year so it felt like late afternoon came quickly. Along with it came some wonderful light and I found the third owl perched on a fence post a mile or so from the other Snowy.
I do not think I have seen this one before and she stared intently at me for a minute like I was a stranger. Then she went back to scanning the field behind her in the image above. Soon after she flew, glided across the field, caught something in the snow and flew up to tree to dine. That all happened far away from me so I carried on to try to take advantage of the warm sunlight. I didn’t find anything else before the sun went down but enjoyed watching the color rise up into the sky.
Eventually I returned past the last owl’s field and now she was perched in a tree closer to the road. I got out hoping to photograph her silhouette against the sunset. Her profile in the tree was not great from my position so I waited to see if something would fall into place. After a little bit she leaned forward and then dropped off her perch to fly over the field. That was my last photograph of the owls and tied off a pretty good day on the prairies.
Christopher Martin Photography 
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Wow wow wow 🙂
February 17, 2017 at 3:54 am
wonderful pictures!
January 18, 2017 at 4:14 pm
Wow.. Those Clicks are Really Awesome.
January 17, 2017 at 9:58 pm
these shots are amazing!! what an incredible day you had…
January 16, 2017 at 1:42 pm
They are dazzling as you are.
January 16, 2017 at 11:45 am
so very pretty
January 16, 2017 at 6:08 am
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January 16, 2017 at 6:08 am
Wow!
January 15, 2017 at 1:24 am
Such marvelous captures of incredible creatures. I have never spotted them in my neck of the woods.
January 14, 2017 at 2:19 pm
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Superb photo essay with all the different shots and experiences shared. Thanks as ever for letting us look into your world. You clearly have a connection with owls–so many fabulous captures.
January 13, 2017 at 6:41 pm
I’m impressed by the enormous wings relative to the small body graphically shown in the first photo.
January 13, 2017 at 3:19 pm
The white on white photos are ethereal!
January 13, 2017 at 3:12 pm
85 minutes! You must have such an abundance of patience!
January 13, 2017 at 2:40 pm
So beautiful
January 13, 2017 at 2:24 pm
Beautiful, Stunning and Gorgeous, but the last one is my Favourite! ❤
January 13, 2017 at 10:11 am
what a magnificent bird..
January 13, 2017 at 10:03 am
Beautiful snowy owls. I share your photography with those who appreciate wildlife. THANKYOU!
January 13, 2017 at 9:13 am
Beautiful creature and wonderful shots!
January 13, 2017 at 9:00 am
Beautiful pictures.
January 13, 2017 at 8:27 am
Amazing day and amazing post! Beautiful photos!
January 13, 2017 at 8:22 am
Thank you so much Belinda!
January 13, 2017 at 8:33 am
Aaaah, superb shots of the Snow Owls, Chris!
I always look out for the white barn owl when we walk around in Cley, it gives me shivers watching them. It must be something special to encounter the Snow Owl and three of them, well, pure magic.
January 13, 2017 at 8:21 am
Oh, they’re beautiful! Wonderful photography!
January 13, 2017 at 8:16 am