03-Jan-2015: The following post has been updated. Northside Jim of the Conserve Wildlife Foundation of New Jersey told me that both of the snowy owls shown below are male. A female would have been larger in size than either of them. Jim’s blogs at: https://exit63.wordpress.com/
The Holgate section of the Edwin B Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge is on an island separate from its Brigantine section, the one I regularly frequent. For the first time today, I went to Holgate and walked along the beach, for a total of 4 miles round trip. It was worth it, as I saw not one but two snowy owls. Less than a mile from the entrance, two birders enthusiastically pointed out a male snowy owl lying on the sand.
Another mile from the above male, I saw another beautiful one. Every time my camera beeped, it turned to look at me but otherwise did not seem to mind my shooting
Finally it decided that I was close enough, stood up and prepared to fly away.
It was truly most majestic in flight, but I could not react fast enough to take any picture. Last year, I did manage to take two shots of a snowy owl, also a female, in flight. Click here to view them.
A fellow photographer told me there was a third one, a juvenile snowy owl, but I did not see it. Juveniles are not as white as adult owls, so they can be well camouflaged amid the dunes and vegetation.
kcinaz said:
Lovely to see. Thanks for sharing your images of these amazing birds.
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Amy said:
What stunning captures, Hien! I may never see snowy owls, these images are precious. 🙂
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neihtn2012 said:
Amy, to see outstanding photos, and videos, of snowy owls, go to https://exit63.wordpress.com/ . I met him yesterday and he is quite an authority on them, in addition to other birds.
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Jet Eliot said:
Oh Hien, these photos are absolutely gorgeous. 🙂
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neihtn2012 said:
Thank you Jet, and Happy New Year to you!
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Beth Walsh's Photoblog said:
What a thrill and she let you photograph her. Does it get any better? So beautiful!!
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neihtn2012 said:
It may be because I was the only human around her at the time. Thank you for visiting and commenting.
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DG MARYOGA said:
Birds of rare beauty,my friend ! Stunning photos,the female has such a rich and showy plumage !
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neihtn2012 said:
Doda, now that you mention it, this is one instance where the female bird is better looking than the male!
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Tiny said:
Beautiful!! What a thrill!
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neihtn2012 said:
Thanks, Tiny!
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Helen C said:
So cute! I feel like to pick them up… 😉 Helen
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neihtn2012 said:
Their round heads make them look very cute indeed. Thanks for stopping by Helen.
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Lisa said:
Awesome owl photos! They are so cute! I adore owls! Hugz Lisa and Bear
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neihtn2012 said:
Thanks Lisa!
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katelon said:
Lovely birds!
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neihtn2012 said:
Thank you, Katelon.
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LadyPinkRose said:
These birds are absolutely beautiful, Neihtn. Absolutely stunning and I thank you for giving me such please here today!!! Love, Amy
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neihtn2012 said:
Thanks Amy. I am glad you like these snowy owl photos.
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Sue Slaght said:
Oh these may be some of my favorite of your captures from the whole year. So pretty and yes the owl doesn’t seem to mind in the least that you are photographing her.
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neihtn2012 said:
Thanks Sue! It’s such a thrill to see a snowy owl. In fact, as I walked back I was stopped three times by people asking if there were any to be seen at Holgate.
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