They're Back!

Finally! They're back! Snowy Owls are in our area once again.

It's a much slower year for this species of Owl. So few have been seen in Toronto this winter. And any that have been seen, aren't sticking around, or being reliably seen may be a better way of wording it.

After weeks and weeks of nothing, I was beginning to doubt my spotting skills. But then... just like that... I first spotted one on January 16th, then moments later, about a block away, I spotted a 2nd Owl. They were just there, beacons of white in the darkness.

I've had 8 encounters overall in a week with these 2 birds. Encounters meaning "sightings" of Snowy Owls and not counting individuals.

The night sights are great. It's just the Owl(s) and myself. I can sit in the truck and enjoy the view of them on a post, or them being active and hunting. I don't get out, I don't chase, no need to. And there's no other people around.

It's not favourable to photographers but someone who loves birds and nature, it's awesome. Traffic may be whizzing by but I'm in the moment with the bird(s).

Last winter I finished off the season with 59 encounters which began October 29th actually and ended in early April. I'm curious how often I will see them this time? Stay tuned.

First Owl. I saw it 3 nights in a row on that same lamp post in a parking lot.

Second Owl. Like I said, about a block away from the other. I've spotted it on the same post numerous times too.

It's fun trying to get a couple photos, and after I get home, I have to seriously manipulate them to bring out the Owl. Nothing worth printing but cool to share what is a rare sight this winter in our city.

I hope you've enjoyed seeing what I saw.

Have a great week!

Snowy Owls, Time Outs and Whisky

I haven't got much else to go on about right now and thought why not do a quick blog about the Snowy Owl encounters I've been having this winter...

I've actually stuck to listing my encounters this winter. I started one last winter but gave up when a lull in the Owl encounters occurred over 6 weeks or so through December and January. I do wish I had kept up with that list for comparison.

I really thought it would be lacking this time around since the actual amount of Owls in the GTA is few and far between compared to the last 2 winters.

As of last night, that is where I am at with Snowy Owl encounters for this season. 34 in total with 23 in February. See, much like last winter, I had a lull in the early part with only 10 sightings in 3 months. I'm glad I kept at it this time around though. I do swear, well in my mind anyway, that last winter was much more. Now that February is over, I'm thinking this is probably pretty close.

I'm not going out of my way looking for these birds minus one back in November. There are some blogs from a few years back where I made it a mission to see as many Snowy Owls as I could, individuals, and got 11 one winter, 13 another winter, counting birds from different regions/parks, etc. Those missions were a lot of fun but time consuming and costly on fuel and other expenses overall. I'm really enjoying my "encounters". The Owls have all been after dark, most on my way home from work, or when I go out for a coffee on my 30 minute break from work. Last week I had 2 Snowys on break which is awesome with the short amount of time I have to myself on shift.

A few ask me why I waste my precious break time and go out. It's a time out from the grind. A 3 to 5 minute sit with a Snowy near where I park the truck is like a recharge. I forget work and any BS from the night in those moments. The Owls are much more active after dark, flying/diving/hunting and occasionally catching a meal. Such great sights sitting in the driver's seat of the GMC!

Digi-scope shot with my Blackberry and a crappy pair of binoculars I keep in the back of the truck.

I love this guy! He really takes me away for a moment.

I'm pretty sure this is him again, as it's on the same small stretch of road near the plant.

I made a post on social media the other week regarding my time outs with the Snowys. Can you add any more reasons to the list here?

I do like most of the people I work with. But with 8 hours a day at the plant, taking those 30 minutes to myself some evenings is much needed, and seeing a Snowy Owl is a blessing. I'm sure many of you will agree.

And it's made Whisky Wednesday all the better! More reason to enjoy some White Owl Whisky. It's Wednesday as I blog this... cheers to you all later tonight!