2012 started with great excitement – no, not the ball drop in New York. For the first time since the mid-1950s, a large number (reports of 60-100 sightings total) of Snowy Owls were observed in Eastern Nebraska and Western Iowa. Experts said the owls were outside their normal range looking for food. Their favorite fare is Lemmings, but that population was very low in the native Tundra.
When hungry enough, even a Nebraska field mouse or gopher will do, I guess. The owls had been sighted near our community so, naturally, we went looking with camera in hand. The owl pictured here was first spotted near the highway sitting on a pivot irrigation unit. He posed for me for about 10 minutes and then flew across the road to the power pole you see him on. Kathy – my expert driver – maneuvered us into position so I could make this (and many more) click from the car. The owl seemed unfazed by our presence and by the traffic along the highway. When we left the owl was still sitting right there, still looking for lunch.
The Snowy Owl is a beautiful bird in deed and this was – for me – perhaps a once-in-a-lifetime photo op. I am thankful I had the opportunity to see and photograph this magnificent creature.