Snowy in Corn

Gallery: AvianPosted December 24, 2011232 views8 comments

20 Snowy Owls. That's roughly how many different Snowy Owls I came across yesterday in the Lake Andes, South Dakota area. Last year, there were hardly any Snowy Owl reports in the entire state. This year, there are a lot of reports, but it seems there are a lot of birds concentrated in a few scattered locations. Why there are so many in this one small area around Lake Andes is a bit of a mystery, since if you drive 5 miles away, you don't see any.

Quite a treat though! I couldn't have asked for better Christmas present!! This guy was hunkered down in a corn field, trying to stay out of the wind.

Canon 50D, 400 5.6L, ISO 320, 1/3200, f7.1.

Comments

8 comments

Comment posted by Richard Ditch on December 24, 2011 at 12:42 PM

Nice image - not the setting I'm used to for this species (snowy fields and sand dunes from my NJ days).

That's a lot of Snowy Owls in one place and I'm jealous.

Registered on November 1, 2003, 1031 Posts, 12705 Comments

Comment posted by Cam Held on December 24, 2011 at 4:41 PM

Beautiful bird and great capture! An unusual background for a snowy, but interesting! Love the eye! Nice work

-Cam

Registered on November 12, 2009, 59 Posts, 398 Comments

Comment posted by Charles Gangas on December 24, 2011 at 5:52 PM

Beautiful bird Terry-neat that you got a Christmas present you wanted! These guys have been spotted in Northern Vermont and with the lack of snow here- read lousy skiing- I hope I get as lucky with a Snowy of my very own!

Merry Christmas

Registered on August 12, 2009, 544 Posts, 2414 Comments

Comment posted by Ron Dudley on December 24, 2011 at 8:14 PM

Nice look at the bird and interesting and unusual setting. I can't imagine 20 of these birds in one small area - just one sighting of one bird recently in my area put everyone in a tizzy.

Registered on March 30, 2007, 437 Posts, 10915 Comments

Comment posted by Rob Graham on December 24, 2011 at 11:08 PM

I like the setting, Terry. Great look at the owl. We have had scattered reports across Kansas, way more than normal. I'm hoping that one that is fairly close stays around until Monday morning, and that it hasn't gone far :).

Registered on August 22, 2006, 842 Posts, 2824 Comments

Comment posted by Kurt Bowman on December 28, 2011 at 9:30 AM

I might be tempted to head up there with that many Snowy's Terry. I have personally never seen one before and have always wanted to experience that. BTW< nice job on the Snowy and I agree with Richard about the setting being very unusual for any Snowy shot I have ever seen.

Registered on June 19, 2008, 1005 Posts, 8028 Comments

Comment posted by Gary Gulash on December 29, 2011 at 12:11 AM

A great Christmas gift indeed Terry, amazing bird. Nicely exposed and an open eye. Unique setting, don't think I have seen one in corn before.

Registered on January 28, 2005, 879 Posts, 12098 Comments

Comment posted by Steve Heironymus on December 29, 2011 at 11:52 PM

Terry,
The word is they are moving farther South in search of food. We are just starting to see them in Nebraska. Kind of a good news/bad news situation.

Registered on November 1, 2003, 36 Posts, 1110 Comments