A snowy owl flight
The deep freeze across southern Alberta has curtailed some of our outside activities over the holidays – but I’ve still managed to head out photographing a few times. I have been longing to see snowy owls again so on the 28th, I drove to the prairies east of Calgary in pursuit of these beautiful birds. I left the house at 6am and it was -29°C. That kind of chill saw me bundled up in heavy winter gear from top to bottom. I drove the back roads between Delacour and Lyalta scanning telephone poles, fence posts and any other high points for the owls. The heavy snowfall that has accompanied the cold made for a true winter wonderland so I enjoyed the drive immensely. A short time later, I found a snowy perched on a telephone pole.
I parked and stepped out with my camera and then waited. After 40 minutes the owl found something that was worth checking out and he flew across a field landing on a fence post a couple hundred meters away.
I trudged that way and waited to see what happened. Five minutes later he flew back to the line of telephone poles. I had a great view from the launch and until he flew past me.
With a great flight under the belt, and some very cold extremities, I returned to my car. I watched the owl from its new perch on another pole while I warmed up. The owl was alert, looking around steadily, but did not fly and I left a short while later.
Christopher Martin Photography 
Wow, so lucky to see one. I’m hoping to go out in search of them tomorrow. I saw them a few years ago at the Batavia Airport, between Buffalo and Rochester, NY and I’m going to find them there again.
January 29, 2018 at 8:19 pm
Oh so majestic!
January 3, 2018 at 2:56 am
Agreed – such a powerful bird!
January 7, 2018 at 10:48 pm
It’s great to see the snowy owls back again on your blog. I look forward to their flights this winter.
December 31, 2017 at 7:30 am
Thank you! I hope a few allow me to spend some time with them. I’ll be out there a fair bit so we’ll see! Happy new year – I’m always excited to hear about your adventures!
January 7, 2018 at 11:06 pm
These photos are exquisite. I have no idea how you manage to stay out in that cold long enough to get the photos, but I’m glad you do. (We’re heading to the 20sF in the coming week, and you’d think the ice age was upon us.)
It’s been delightful following you in 2017, and I’m looking forward to 2018. Happy New Year to you, and happy photographing.
December 31, 2017 at 6:57 am
Happy new year Linda! I hope you have weathered the deep cold well – certainly a brisk start to the year. I hope it is a wonderful year for you and yours.
January 9, 2018 at 6:32 am
Stunning photos. I had no idea snowy owls had so many black feathers.
December 31, 2017 at 6:48 am
Very nice! We have a snowy near us, but I have not spent enough time there to catch the bird in flight!
December 30, 2017 at 5:44 pm
You and this snowy couldn’t have been better dance partners. Absolutely stunning.
Dad
December 30, 2017 at 5:43 pm
Feliz año 2018 Martin, un saludo desde Guatemala.
December 30, 2017 at 5:40 pm
Such amazing photographs!
December 30, 2017 at 5:34 pm