Snowy Owl

Description:

The heaviest and perhaps most powerful North American owl, the Snowy Owl is popping up all over the eastern coast this year in an irruptive event.

Habitat:

The Fire Island barrier beaches replicate the owl's preferred tundra habitat. Many are showing up along the eastern coast this year.

Notes:

This was as close to the bird I would go, with my point-and-shoot zoomed all the way in. It was scanning the beach and did not move, except for its head, the entire time I watched it. No gulls or any other birds were harassing it.