BUMP ON THE ROOF

 According to Audubon, an irruption of Snowy Owls is occurring this winter.  A baby boom of these birds in the Arctic has sent large numbers south in search of food.  This influx is probably why I saw three Snowies in one day a few weeks ago.  I’ve been searching the area religiously since then to no avail.  I set out again on Thursday afternoon when the skies lightened with a hint of sunshine.  In the distance, I saw a bump that seemed out of place on the rooftop of a building.  Driving closer, the bump turned out to be an immature Snowy Owl.  It had its transparent third eyelid drawn to protect its eyes from the brightness, so I didn’t see its yellow eyes.  Still, it's always exciting.  Stay safe out there, today.  It looks treacherous.

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

WHAT CAUGHT MY EYE

 The sun came out on Monday afternoon, and I headed out to take pictures.  I didn’t see anything unusual, like more Snowy Owls, just Pure Michigan winter scenes.  My favorite was the shadow of a bird walking atop a silo.  

 

 

 

ANOTHER ROOFTOP BEAUTY

 I was out looking for Snowy Owls twice this week.  I didn’t find any, but I did see a much smaller bird on an apartment building roof.  Even though it was fairly distant, I recognized it from its prominent black facial stripes: an American kestrel.  It’s the smallest and daintiest falcon, and I’ve only seen this bird once before.  The pictures weren’t great, but I felt the thrill of finding beauty in nature.  Much needed in these times.

 

 

 

 

SNOWY OWL BONANZA

 Sunday afternoon, I searched the Chums Corner area for the Snowy Owl I’d seen on Christmas Day.  I quickly found her atop one of the ballpark buildings.  Her third eyelid was up to protect her eyes from the wind that ruffled her feathers.  I moved on to see if there might be another and quickly found a second female atop a new apartment building.  It was rare to see two owls in the same outing.  After getting my fill of picture-taking, I headed back home, but kept an eye on the rooftops as I drove.  I was almost out of the industrial park when I found a third snowy!  Wow!!  I’d never seen three in one day.  This snowy was either a juvenile or a male because its barring was very light.  The last two birds stared at me with their bright yellow eyes.  Such a thrill!!!

 

 

YES, VIRGINIA,

 ...there really is blue sky behind those gray clouds.  

 

 

WINTER’S MIXED BAG

 Happy New Year, friends!  Haven’t we had it all this past week?  Freezing rain.  Temperatures warm enough to melt most of the snow.  Heavy blowing snow with whiteout conditions.  And then more nonstop snow.  But there was a bright spot.  The wintry winds also blew in a female snowy owl.  I caught a glimpse of her on the ballpark rooftop on Christmas afternoon.  More to come when the weather improves.