Northeastern Snowys

This is a superb winter if you enjoy snowy owls. There are 5 to 6 snowy owls near my home alone, although wintering snowys in semi-populated areas are a major photographic challenge. Unlike snowys along the coast, on dunes and beaches, inland snowys love human perches which are often quite undesirable for photos. Where I live, house roofs, metal signs, metal wires, and utility poles are the typical spots these birds are hunting from and resting on. For the number of visits I've made to see the owls, I've taken a dissappointing low number of images, not desiring these perches. In this photo, at least the human perch is somewhat interesting- via patterns and colors.

The other factor is that with many private residences around, lots of traffic, and lots of birders, these locations are not appropriate for baiting, whether you are ethically for or against it. Any photographer showing up with mice will get major opposition from those around and worse, risks attracting a bird into road traffic.

In summary, it is a fantastic winter for seeing these birds but at least where I live, getting nice compositions is very difficult. I am envious of those along the Atlantic coast that have nice natural habitat.

this shot: Canon 40D, canon 500mm f4 and 1.4x, ISO 400, through moon roof

Really nice shot of the snowy Jeff! Yes, I think the perch is highly interesting itself and to put an owl on it is icing on the proverbial cake!