WildView™

November 10, 2022

Magical Creatures

- as seen by -

John Stahl

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I find snowy owls (Bubo scandiacus) to be mystical, magical creatures.

This is considered a big year in terms of the larger number of birds that have migrated southward. These irruptives, usually showing heavily barred feather patterns, are immatures. Adult males are almost all white. This owl could be either male or female.

Snowy owls occur regularly in the northern plains, New York, and New England. They spend summers far north in the Arctic Circle hunting lemmings, ptarmigan, and other prey in 24-hour daylight. I have seen fairly large birds caught by snowy owls, including some gulls, and once found an owl dining on a mallard duck.

In their home range, these birds of prey usually sit on or near the ground in wide-open areas. I have seen them on very low dunes along the beachfront on Long Island, New York, as well as perching further inland.

EDITOR’S NOTE: This photo was chosen as one of the top submissions for Wild View’s Freeze Frame Assignment.

Canon EOS7D MkII with 300mm Lens

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