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Snowy Owl

Bubo scandiacus

Description:

This is one of the largest species of Owl with a wingspan of 49–59 in and on average it is the heaviest Owl in North America weighing 3.5 to 6.6 lb.

Habitat:

It breeds in the Artic Tundra and winters south through Canada.

Notes:

Snowy Owls can normally be found in the prairies east of Calgary during the winter. After several failed attempts to see a Snowy Owl I finally found this one yesterday afternoon by the side of a highway.

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26 Comments (1–25)

sanmiggums
sanmiggums 11 years ago

Nice

ianmaton
ianmaton 11 years ago

Yes, this is one of my favourites as well. The light was excellent when I took this photograph which allowed for a very detailed image.

Carol Snow Milne
Carol Snow Milne 11 years ago

I don't want to show favoritism among all your Snowy owl spots, but the eyes are so incredible on this one.

Carol Snow Milne 2
Carol Snow Milne 2 11 years ago

Oh wow! Fantastic!

Maria dB
Maria dB 11 years ago

Wonderful series - congratulations!

Gerardo Aizpuru
Gerardo Aizpuru 11 years ago

Wow awesome indeed congratulations ianmaton !

Braulio Rivas Tapia
Braulio Rivas Tapia 11 years ago

Awesoome!
U should put it on the mission: Global Urban Biodiversity!

namitha
namitha 11 years ago

Amazing spotting Ian, Majestic like the owls from Harry Potter. Congratulations on SOTD.

CarolSnowMilne
CarolSnowMilne 11 years ago

A gorgeous owl! My favorite. Congratulations on SOTD.

Fyn  Kynd
Fyn Kynd 11 years ago

Awesome spot! Congrats!

Mark Ridgway
Mark Ridgway 11 years ago

Nice shots Ian.. congrats.

RubyPrakash
RubyPrakash 11 years ago

Congrats Ian

MacChristiansen
MacChristiansen 11 years ago

Congratulations Ian

JillBlack
JillBlack 11 years ago

wonderful photos and congratulations on the STOD

YukoChartraw
YukoChartraw 11 years ago

Such a beautiful snowy owl! Congratulations on the SOTD!

Nayeli
Nayeli 11 years ago

This picture is so cute. Congratulations.

Reza Hashemizadeh
Reza Hashemizadeh 11 years ago

Awww....whats a great Spot. Congratulations on the SotD !

Jolly Ibañez
Jolly Ibañez 11 years ago

Congratulations Ian. Beautiful series.

NuwanChathuranga
NuwanChathuranga 11 years ago

great pics! Congratulations ianmaton!

Emiko Siddesh Rain
Emiko Siddesh Rain 11 years ago

beautiful amazing owl...^_^

peter
peter 11 years ago

What an incredible photo of this stunning owl. Congrats, on a well deserved spotting of the day!

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"Spotted just a few days ago in Alberta, Canada, the ghostlike Snowy owl has unmistakable white plumage that echoes its Arctic origins. Snowy owls breed in the Artic Tundra and winter south through Canada. They are one of the largest species of Owl with a wingspan that spans a 5 foot human being! They lead nomadic lives and travel vast distances from year to year searching for food."

ianmaton
ianmaton 11 years ago

Thanks to all for the kind comments. Yes, so far this winter they seem to be harder to find than last year, although, more may turn up as the winter progresses. I've added the spotting to Raptors of North America.

Good birding!

Ian

Wild Things
Wild Things 11 years ago

Beautiful!

ChristyHolland
ChristyHolland 11 years ago

Fantastic spotting!! We had several snowies all the way down here in Colorado last winter...apparently there was an influx into the states!! I'd love you to add this to the mission Raptors of North America!

Liam
Liam 11 years ago

Gorgeous shot and spotting!

ianmaton
Spotted by
ianmaton

Alberta, Canada

Spotted on Nov 27, 2012
Submitted on Nov 28, 2012

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