Outdoor Ontario
Discussion => General Discussions => Topic started by: Rob'in'To on February 21, 2012, 03:44:04 PM
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So, as most are aware, we've had quite the invasion of Snowy Owls this winter. Has anyone been out enjoying them?
I've seen 11 different ones since December. 9 barred Snowys (female or juvi) and 2 adult males.
Pretty good to see considering a lot of other stuff is quite lacking this winter.
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Yes I've seen two individuals this winter - both large females I think. A thrill for me and also very exciting for my young son. Seeing such a majestic creature in the wild is very inspiring for kids; and I think will go a long way towards encouraging him to continue his interest in birding. Does anyone know how much longer they are likely to linger here?
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We have a dozen or so between Amherst and Wolfe Islands.
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I have seen zero :(
Tried for them a few times, but so far no success.
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There are two residents at Bronte Harbour in Oakville, one of which should be easy to find since it seems to enjoy the empty boat docks. I think it's safe to post the location of this owl because she seems so safe where she sits on the docks - there is no access onto any of the docks during winter for people or dogs (this information has also been previously posted by others on the OntBird twitter feed). Go to the east side of the harbour where the main pier and the breakwater are located. There's a nice big parking lot in front of what looks like the yacht club (large yellow building). She was easy to find yesterday (on "C" dock), and I laughed when I went back to my car later and realized that I could actually see her while sitting in my car!! The other one supposedly prefers the large breakwater, but I missed it. Bronte Harbour is easily reached at the bottom of Hwy 25.
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I saw the one who enjoys the breakwater area. This second one is new to me. I might have to scope him/her out.
Ya, they are pretty safe in those spots on the docks since they are all locked up. So no worry making mention of this location. :)
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Thanks Trillian, I was at Bronte today and spotted the Snowy Owl on the docks, my first this season and second for ever! :D
Unfortunately the wind caught my spotting scope that tipped. The optics survived, but the mounting bracket broke off, so a lot of glue and/or duct tape will be necessary to make it usable again :(
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That's a shame about your equipment, but glad you found your snowy! If you haven't already seen them, check out the photos of the same owl eating her lunch - "Rob'in'To" has posted some great shots in the "Bird Photo Corner" forum.
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Yeah, I have seen those. They were really cool pictures. The Snowy wasn't as active today, just sitting on the dock, turning it's head once in a while.
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I was out to the spot early this morning, Sunday but no snowys around at this time..... :(
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Sorry for the accident there "thouc".
Thanks for the compliments regarding my photo post Trillian.
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I haven't seen any. Ever. Except on T.V.
In fact I haven't seen much in the way of raptors this winter although a couple of weeks ago, during a warm spell, I thought I saw a turkey vulture soaring....large soaring bird dark wings...but didn't have the same under pattern as a TV.
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I haven't seen any. Ever. Except on T.V.
In fact I haven't seen much in the way of raptors this winter although a couple of weeks ago, during a warm spell, I thought I saw a turkey vulture soaring....large soaring bird dark wings...but didn't have the same under pattern as a TV.
Re" Snowys
Probably getting to end of season for them, not sure how long they will be staying if we get the warm weather they are predicting for later this week. There is one at Bronte marina almost daily and probably best and easiest spot to still find one. Its spot on the docks seems to change slightly with day and need a big lens for super closeup but still can be seen with eye and binoculars really make viewing good...for anyone still wanting to catch one this year.
Taken yesterday at Bronte
(http://img11.imageshack.us/img11/2677/snowymarch4thb.jpg)
Dave
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Same Snowy Owl the day after Dave's view/photo of her...
(http://i280.photobucket.com/albums/kk187/lilevl13/bronte1.jpg)
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saw someone posting pictures of a snowy in Scarborough.
i assumed that a snowy would be at Bluffer's Park this winter but never bothered to look. anyone know where the scarborough snowy is?
not going to go and look at it - just curious.
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Never heard that one. I tracked many of mine through ontbirds reports and hitting some known spots along with a few that just popped up out of nowhere to our surprise.
If only I went to the Spit... I would have had my 14th. Ah well, I like the number 13 better anyways. :twisted:
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people have been posting their photos on the Weather Network's website. sadly, they're clearly baiting the snowy owls. but one of the shots was tagged as being from Scarborough. It may have been from the Spit. who knows.
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Are you sure it's not the city/town of the submitter that they are displaying?
Clearly baiting? Do tell. I don't watch the weather network.
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Are you sure it's not the city/town of the submitter that they are displaying?
Clearly baiting? Do tell. I don't watch the weather network.
heh, the Weather Network's website, not the tv station.
two photos posted by 2 different photographers. 1 was clearly baiting (admitted it) and the other one was pretty obvious by the perfect photo of it catching lunch.
Looks like someone named Herman Roote is a baiter. his example is here (http://www.theweathernetwork.com/your_weather/details/620/5796066/herman%20roote/upload/0/1920?ref=ugc_yourweather_search). You can also see it in this one (http://www.theweathernetwork.com/your_weather/details/620/5723152/snowy%20owl/upload/0/1920?ref=ugc_yourweather_search)
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Baiting for sure. Not sure if hie knows this or not when posting images to the Weather Network:
"You hereby grant to PMI a world-wide, royalty-free, perpetual, irrevocable, non-exclusive right and licence to use, reproduce, modify, adapt, publish, translate, distribute and sub-licence any and all material or information submitted by you to this Web site or by e-mail to PMI and/or to incorporate it in other works regardless of form, medium or technology. In addition, you hereby waive any moral rights you have in any and all material or information submitted by you to this Web site or by e-mail."
Too bad for him :)
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Interesting.
The shots I strive for... but in a natural chain of events.
Thanks for the follow up.
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Interesting.
The shots I strive for... but in a natural chain of events.
Thanks for the follow up.
its pretty simple. let a mouse loose. focus on the mouse. snap snap snap snap! and you have a picture that you "sell", since we all know that people are spending hundreds, if not thousands of dollars on our bird photos.
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Hi Richard
I guess it is a comment on the sad state of the world today.... I read some of the comments on the link and was deeply saden by the bulk of the comments. To say it is okay to get pictures by any means shows a real lack of interest in nature and in your subject. It is always great to get a good shot but the only certain thing in life is no matter how much money you spend on your equipment or how great the picture is...there will always be someone who has better stuff and will have the better picture......
The joy in any hobby should be the process getting thru to completion.....not the outcome only
Dave
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Hi Richard
I guess it is a comment on the sad state of the world today.... I read some of the comments on the link and was deeply saden by the bulk of the comments. To say it is okay to get pictures by any means shows a real lack of interest in nature and in your subject. It is always great to get a good shot but the only certain thing in life is no matter how much money you spend on your equipment or how great the picture is...there will always be someone who has better stuff and will have the better picture......
The joy in any hobby should be the process getting thru to completion.....not the outcome only
Dave
very well put.
for me, its just like a treasure hunt. to others, its not.
as an aside, if you google that photographer's name, you will find some funny links, including his dead url/website and how he's a First Nation's person who I assume, by tradition, would respect nature, but clearly he doesn't.