I know it's a banner year for snowies, and it will be years until the next one. All these great images here are killin' me.
Where is the closest place to california that has lots of snowies ?
"Willing to travel".
Thanks!
Sandy
Posted by dan elster on January 4, 2012 at 2:30 PM
Hey Sandy, I'm in southern Oregon(near Ashland) and I'm still waiting too. There have been a couple of reports of them near Eugene.
Posted by Luke Ormand on January 4, 2012 at 2:36 PM
Go visit Doug Buckland in SD and you'll see more snowies in a day than most do in a lifetime ha. In all serious - good luck. I've struck out the few times I've gone for Snowies in my neck of the woods - just don't have the time to cover all the ground I need to but I've been fortunate to stumble upon these birds in the past during non-irruption years so I have faith I'll pick up a couple this year
I shot mine at Ocean Shores, WA. It's along the southern end of the coast, so that may be your closest bet for reliable shooting. Eight to nine owls in a great location, and presumably they'll stay there much of the winter. Probably still a good 12-13 hour drive from the Bay Area, though it looks like you could get flights to Seattle for less than $200 at the moment. From there it's about 2-2.5 hours' drive.
Max
Posted by Doug Backlund on January 4, 2012 at 7:22 PM
The place to go in South Dakota is Lake Andes NWR and surrounding area. Some folks are seeing 20-30 owls in one day. Up here where I live, maybe 3-5 a day. Lake Andes NWR is about 120 miles from Sioux Falls. Check messages on the SD list-serve to get all the details.
Posted by Dennis Plank on January 5, 2012 at 9:47 AM
Sandy:
If you decide on Ocean Shores, check the Portland airport as well. It's a lot less congested and about equidistant with SeaTac.
I've heard rumors of a sighting at Ridgefield which is just a few miles on the Washington side of the border north of Portland-you might check with Craig Strand, he shoots there regularly.
Thanks - I'd also go into portland, knowing the area well!
I need a place with lots of owls, though, since I'll only have a day or two and my luck is not often very good with short trips.
Thanks-
Sandy
Posted by Dennis Plank on January 5, 2012 at 2:14 PM
Understood. There have been 7 or 8 hanging out on a small sand spit at the south end of Ocean Shores, so I think the hunting is pretty good. However, there are high surf advisories with 20-23 foot swells for today, so i don't know what that's going to do to the spit.
Posted by Dennis Plank on January 6, 2012 at 5:30 PM
Sandy: I was just poking around and found this on the Washington Tweeter's:
Subject: Re: Snowy Owls
From: Mechejmch <mechejmch AT aol.com>
Date: Thu, 5 Jan 2012 21:41:12 -0500 (EST)
Cross the border at Blaine and continue north to the exit that takes you to
Tsawwassen (sp?) and the BC Ferries terminal and Point Roberts. Continue on
this road (the Ladner Trunk Road) and turn left on 72nd Street. Drive to the
end of the road; park and lock your vehicle; walk up to the top of the dike and
look straight ahead....you'll never be the same, again.
If you're a REAL birder, hang on to your socks!
Cheers,
Joe Meche
Bellingham
It's a bit further, and I might send an email to this guy to verify. Note, that I looked at the map and there happens to be an Owl Rehab center on the 72nd street he refers to.
Discussion
9 repliesWhere is the closest place to california that has lots of snowies ?
"Willing to travel".
Thanks!
Sandy
Terry Sohl is there too and has some great shots.
anyone with owls closer?
Sandy
Max
If you decide on Ocean Shores, check the Portland airport as well. It's a lot less congested and about equidistant with SeaTac.
I've heard rumors of a sighting at Ridgefield which is just a few miles on the Washington side of the border north of Portland-you might check with Craig Strand, he shoots there regularly.
I need a place with lots of owls, though, since I'll only have a day or two and my luck is not often very good with short trips.
Thanks-
Sandy
Subject: Re: Snowy Owls
From: Mechejmch <mechejmch AT aol.com>
Date: Thu, 5 Jan 2012 21:41:12 -0500 (EST)
Cross the border at Blaine and continue north to the exit that takes you to
Tsawwassen (sp?) and the BC Ferries terminal and Point Roberts. Continue on
this road (the Ladner Trunk Road) and turn left on 72nd Street. Drive to the
end of the road; park and lock your vehicle; walk up to the top of the dike and
look straight ahead....you'll never be the same, again.
If you're a REAL birder, hang on to your socks!
Cheers,
Joe Meche
Bellingham
It's a bit further, and I might send an email to this guy to verify. Note, that I looked at the map and there happens to be an Owl Rehab center on the 72nd street he refers to.