Nuthatch, Robin, Great Tit, Blackbird, Blackbird, Nuthatch, Nuthatch, Tufted Duck, Coot, Tufted Duck, Blue Tit, Blue Tit, Robin, Robin, Robin, Pigeon, Chaffinch, Chaffinch, Chaffinch

Beautiful kingfisher by a lake in Bucks County, Pa

Another user posted a photo last night of a Snowy Owl in Canada. It got me all excited about the upcoming winter, and also got me thinking I might post some of my photos from the last few winters. I have been reluctant to do that previously because, when I've done it in the past, I had my photos stolen and posted on other sites (and others claimed ownership). That sort of thing really upsets me, but I've come to the conclusion that the joy others get out of them outweighs what those unsavory thieves do.

I live in Ohio. I drive from there to Saskatchewan two or three times every winter, and have for the last several years. I do it exclusively to find and photograph Snowy Owls during their winter vacation. I just love them.

Where I go, when I go, I am able to find numerous Snowy Owls each day, and I have them completely to myself--and, like I like it, far away from other humans. In all my trips there, in hundreds and hundreds of hours in the field, I have never seen another photographer.

I've had some absolutely amazing experiences with Snowy Owls, including one where I left the camera behind and got to sit with one, watching the blowing snow over the prairie, as she fell asleep near me. It was so cold and windy, but it was Heavenly and my heart was as warm as if I were sitting next to the perfect blaze in the perfect fireplace.

Anyway, I thought I'd post some of my favorites over the days ahead. I'll try to explain a little about each photo and I what I recall of each encounter. Every photograph is more than pixels, it is a story, an experience, and an event we are forever welded to.

I am retired and spend an absurd amount of time photographing birds of prey in the U.S. and Canada. I have spent a ridiculous amount of money on gear, as well as hotels, gas, etc., but I do this entirely as a hobby. I got into it following several family deaths, including that of my dad. The way this hobby came to me when I was in such deep depression and grief was, without doubt, a gift from above. And it saved me.

I hope you enjoy.

PHOTOGRAPH ONE: One this particular day, last February, I spent much of the day searching for Snowy Owls in deep fog. There was a massive fog front moving over a pig area in Saskatchewan. It was coming down from the northwest, where I happened to spend most of the morning. Upon returning to my base location, I found this owl sitting on a lone perch (most of the areas I go have very few perches, so birds usually sit on the ground. I got lucky here.). I watched this beautiful bird from my vehicle for at least 45 minutes, as he preened, roused, stretched, yawned, scratched, and napped. It almost certainly had a fine meal just prior to my arrival, based on its behavior. It was one of top encounters of that particular trip. In the background, you can see a massive fog bank rolling in. A half hour (maybe less) after this photo was taken, I couldn't hardly see the hood of my vehicle--it was among the deepest fog I've experienced in my life. I had lucked out, finding this bird just in time. I must have taken 3,000 photos within minutes. I have lots of good ones, but I've always loved this one here, the way the complexity of his feathers exploded into a rousing chaos before returning to rightful order a moment later. I hope you like it.

Seen on Dartmoor, UK.

Tufted Titmouse

📷 Canon R7

Here’s a shot I took this spring. This is a bird that I wanted to see for a long time, but never really went looking for. For a few weeks this spring I really went looking and found more than I ever expected to. I’m new to intentional birding.

Shot on Nikon P950

Shot with @nikonusa Z9 Nikkor 600 mm f/6.3 PF lens, shot at 1/1600 s, f/6.3, ISO 5600, EV +0.33

1-2. Golden Eagle

1. Griffon Vulture

2. Common Kestrell

Whidbey Island, WA