My Continuing Quest for the White Wha...err, Owl

 I decided to go to see if I could see the snowy owl at Willow Run again tonight.  It was sunny enough but it was a bit on the windy side.  Therefore, I wasn't sure if I could see it.  Plus, there is a good chance he's decided to head back up to the Arctic.

No owls but I did see these turkeys.

I was kind of surprised he stuck around for pictures.  Usually they head for the woods as soon as I stop.

After a few trips around the airport and a trip to the other airport because I thought I could catch some planes on the 27s, I stumbled across a herd of deer.

Again, I was surprised at how long they stood around.  I thought they would beat feet for the woods.

I kind of like this shot.

And one more of a pair of deer with one being fairly vigilant.

I didn't catch the owl.  I'm coming to the conclusion that it probably isn't going to happen this season.  But I guess I will keep the knowledge that there was one at Willow Run this year.  Usually they return to the same area as before, so maybe I will see one next year.

Success Finally

 After several times of heading up to the Fish Point area, I was finally able to catch a snowy owl this season.   I had to look on a snowy owl site a few times to finally narrow down where I could see one.

First of all, it was not at Fish Point.  I think too many people found that spot and scared them away.

When I headed down the road where I thought it was, I saw a bunch of people with cameras, so I figured that would be the spot.

I'm not going to mention the spot because I don't want them to go somewhere else.

I think this one is a male.

I wish I could have moved to spot where the wire wasn't in the picture but I guess it's not as bad as I thought it would be.

I love those yellow eyes.

One more shot.

Whereupon I Catch a Snowy Owl

 After catching the Alpena, I decided to head up to Fish Point.  I was hoping to catch some pelicans since one of my Facebook pictures from a year ago had them.  I ended up catching something better.

I ended up catching something better.

I had given up on catching a snowy owl this year.

I thought they had returned to the north country.

As we were entering the park, my mom pointed out that this guy was just sitting there.

I went back to get some pictures of him.  I was kind of surprised he stayed there.  I kept my distance and just stayed in the car.  I didn't want to spook him.

Usually when I see the snowy owls, they are up in the telephone poles and I am not able to get a good picture.

This one was just standing there and in good light to boot.

So I just kept taking pictures.

I will have to say, these are amazing birds.

I love the size of those talons.

That beak is pretty impressive too.

It seems like they are well adapted to their normal environment.

I just hope he is okay.

I decided to wander through the rest of the park for a bit.

I also wanted to get some pictures of puddle ducks.

They usually flee into the reeds when I arrive.

This one stuck around.

I love the red eyes.

Then I saw this muskrat.

A Canada goose.

Surprisingly, he wasn't hissing.

I think this is a ring-necked duck.

I think this is a redhead.

But he flew away.

A seagull.

A ring-necked duck couple.

So I went back to the owl.

Surprisingly, he stuck around.

And seemingly posed for me.

So I kept taking pictures.

He was looking around.

It was pretty cool.

It almost looked like he was laughing.

I think I like this one.

Before he flew off.

Catching a Snowy Owl

 So last weekend I decided to head up to see if I could catch a snowy owl.  I went to my normal spot where I could catch them.  As I was about ready to give up, I looked at one of the telephone poles and saw one.

I think this is a female snowy owl.  The males are whiter.

Someone else said it might be a younger snowy owl.

Either way, it is a pretty majestic looking bird.

I tried to move around to get a better angle.

I didn't really like the wires were in the way and I finally found a spot where I could minimize their effect.

She stayed in this spot for quite a while.

I moved around trying other angles.

With my light waning, I headed off.  But it was cool catching her.