Friday, January 6, 2012

Success -- A snowy owl! Sandy Point State Reservation

Snowy owl on sea ice along the beach

As soon as we arrived in Massachusetts last September, I was investigating the nearby parks to find out what wildlife opportunities might exist. I quickly discovered that Plum Island (which contains the Parker River NWR and Sandy Point State Reservation on it) is a terrific place for birds on the Massachusetts coast. Even better news was that it often harbors a wintering population of snowy owls, and it's considered one of the best places in the lower US to find them. I think these birds are stunning, and I immediately added a snowy owl to my mental wish list for this winter. After seeing reports of owls in the area on ebird.org I took a trip there in December, but came back empty handed. On my first outing of 2012 though, I was able to photograph this gorgeous juvenile along the dunes of Sandy Point State Reservation (and in this image, sitting on the ice that formed in the tidal areas). I was there for sunset, but the skies were cloudier than I expected, so I was shooting mostly in fading overcast light -- all the more reason to make a return trip under blue skies as well!

View more images of owls in my Birds of Prey Gallery.


14 comments:

  1. You hit a home run here Pat. I would love to photograph a snowy owl.

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  2. Man I'm jealous. On frozen ground or snow and a seemless backdrop. Nice work Pat

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  3. Absolutely beautiful! Wonderful photo! Thanks!

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  4. That is stunning. Even if you go back, I don't know how you can top that photo but no doubt you will.

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  5. Great shot Pat. Stunning work as always.

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  6. stunning image, very jealous! Thinking I need to add this place to my list!

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  7. Exceptional capture! We have a few Snowy Owls visiting the Chicago lakefront this winter. What a treat! I have ventured out to see the owls and was fortunate to view one. We had to keep our distance but oh what a sight!

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  8. Oh, wow! Stunning shot! I'd love to see one someday.

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  9. Fantastic shot Pat! I keep hoping the eruption will head south here to CA but it doesn't look like it.

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  10. Wow! I can see why you like that one. Stunning bird. Not one I expect to see in the next day or two!

    Cheers - Stewart M - Australia

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  11. Nice! I heard there were more snowies than usual in many areas this year. Alas, still none at Pt. Reyes. :) In fact, they'd be hard-put to find snow anywhere in California....

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  12. Beautiful! I'm haven't been able yet to photograph a snowie. Hopefully it will still happen this winter!

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