michael arthurs
north bay, CA
Member since August 28, 2019
Most Viewed
Sunrise
On this particular morning shortly after sunrise I saw a snowy owl perched on a farmers wagon 200 m across the farmers field. I took some very distant shots but wanted to see how close I could get. The temperature was -20 C, the snow was deep and I crawled slowly towards him. I was surprised that it didn't seem perturbed at all. Without concern, it would watch my progress and then turn towards the sunrise and close its eyes. When I got within 30 yards I didn't try to get any closer. I just enjoyed the moment after getting photos. Over 25 minutes, it will keep looking over to check on me, and then again turn towards the sun. When I couldn't stand the cold any longer, I slowly retreated without disturbing him. Magical moments! Later in the day we found an adult snowy right beside the road on Snake River Line.
Sunrise
On this particular morning shortly after sunrise I saw a snowy owl perched on a farmers wagon 200 m across the farmers field. I took some very distant shots but wanted to see how close I could get. The temperature was -20 C, the snow was deep and I crawled slowly towards him. I was surprised that it didn't seem perturbed at all. Without concern, it would watch my progress and then turn towards the sunrise and close its eyes. When I got within 30 yards I didn't try to get any closer. I just enjoyed the moment after getting photos. Over 25 minutes, it will keep looking over to check on me, and then again turn towards the sun. When I couldn't stand the cold any longer, I slowly retreated without disturbing him. Magical moments! Later in the day we found an adult snowy right beside the road on Snake River Line.
Sunrise
On this particular morning shortly after sunrise I saw a snowy owl perched on a farmers wagon 200 m across the farmers field. I took some very distant shots but wanted to see how close I could get. The temperature was -20 C, the snow was deep and I crawled slowly towards him. I was surprised that it didn't seem perturbed at all. Without concern, it would watch my progress and then turn towards the sunrise and close its eyes. When I got within 30 yards I didn't try to get any closer. I just enjoyed the moment after getting photos. Over 25 minutes, it will keep looking over to check on me, and then again turn towards the sun. When I couldn't stand the cold any longer, I slowly retreated without disturbing him. Magical moments! Later in the day we found an adult snowy right beside the road on Snake River Line.
Snowy Sunset
My wife and I heard that there was a snowy owl in the area so with only two hours before sunset we started driving side roads. I told her to look for a bump on a drift of snow that didn't look quite right. Almost immediately, she said, "Oh, like that one over there?" I pulled over and sure enough, there was the snowy! It was almost -30 Celsius but it didn't stop us from getting out of the car and watching until sunset. The cold, the colours and the unperturbed snowy owl made it magical experience.
Contemplation
While walking down Snake River Line in Pembroke Ontario, I heard a mewing sound coming from a deciduous woodlot. Thinking it was some sort of cat or weasel-like mammal I follow the sound into the woods. Since it was early spring the forest was very open with only a tiny bit of green on the trees. I focussed on the ground intently but saw nothing until I looked up and realized I was almost face to face with this barred owl. I am used to barred owls making their "who cooks for you" call. I had never heard the solicitation call of a female before. It almost sounded like a big cat. I didn't move, I photographed it as it stayed there patiently. After four or five minutes I heard another adult in the woods giving the typical call. When she heard it she perked up and flew away. Her demeanour of quiet contemplation during the encounter was striking.