Extremely Rare Snowy Owl In Florida

On the late afternoon of 27 December 2013, Eric and Georgia Pourchot made the initial reported sighting of an immature female Snowy Owl at Little Talbot Island State Park in Jacksonville, Florida.

The Snowy Owl above was photographed at Little Talbot Island State Park in January 2014.

The only previous confirmed record of North America's largest owl, the Snowy Owl, occurred in Florida at St. George Island State Park in December 1999. I believe a January 2012 record noted in other articles to be in error as I could not confirm the sighting with Vince McGrath nor Tom Obrock. This extremely rare bird species to be seen in Florida, with its second record for the state, is needless to say attracting a lot of attention. A large scale fledging of Snowy Owls may explain why this bird is here. While the northern fringes of Alaska, Canada, Greenland, Scandinavia, and Russia are where Snowy Owls are commonly observed during the nesting season, the birds typically work their way into lower Canada and Eurasia in the winter months. There have been numerous reported sightings of Snowy Owl much further south of their normal range in recent years. As of this writing, Wikipedia notes Snowy Owl to have been observed as far south as Georgia in the United States. In November 2013 a weather system brought a Snowy Owl to the Islands of Bermuda where the bird was observed for nearly a month up until its demise. An investigation is underway to determine the cause of the Bermuda Snowy Owl death which is unknown as of this writing.

The Snowy Owl above was photographed at Little Talbot Island State Park in January 2014.

With the opportunity to observe the species for the first time myself, I made the long drive from Fort Myers to Little Talbot Island State Park on the morning of 3 January 2014. Unfamiliar with the area, I made use of my aging GPS device for guidance. The machine was insistent that I take the Saint Johns River Auto Ferry from Mayport Village to Fort George Island (the ferry was closed for routine inspection by the US Coast Guard). So as a result, I was lost in the area of Fort Caroline for over an hour. I finally arrived at Little Talbot Island State Park with the temperature near freezing. The wind was wicked from the NNE which made the conditions even more uncomfortable. Several layers of clothing, a hat, gloves, and a jacket were not especially helpful. After making my sighting of the owl I quickly began to succumb to the affect of the cold. My fingers became numb and I began shivering within minutes of exposure. I stayed with the bird and about a dozen fellow intrepid observers for about 45 minutes. Please be sure to read eBird's excellent article, The winter of the Snowy Owl, at North American Birding. In my research of the Snowy Owl, misinformation was discovered within a GrrlScientist article hosted by The Guardian. The article implies that the late 2013 Snowy Owl irruption included a Snowy Owl in Hawaii. This record actually occurred in late 2011 with the bird dispatched to a museum after fear of potential harm to aircraft at Honolulu International Airport in January 2012. Please advise of any inadvertent misinformation that may exist within this blog.

The Snowy Owl above was photographed at Little Talbot Island State Park in January 2014.

The Snowy Owl above was photographed at Little Talbot Island State Park in January 2014.

The Snowy Owl above was photographed at Little Talbot Island State Park in January 2014.

The Snowy Owl above was photographed at Little Talbot Island State Park in January 2014.

The Snowy Owl above was photographed at Little Talbot Island State Park in January 2014.

The Snowy Owl above was photographed at Little Talbot Island State Park in January 2014.

During the time of my Snowy Owl observation at Little Talbot Island State Park in Jacksonville, Florida, I concluded that the owl showed no signs of distress as was earlier reported. It appeared perfectly healthy to me although admittedly not able to make a comparison with a previous observation of the species. In fact, the Snowy Owl was very alert as it hunkered down with an overflight of a juvenile Bald Eagle. The owl seemed to favor a patch of grass which I believe is where it had been regurgitating pellets from its meals. What species the Snowy Owl had been sustaining itself with at Little Talbot is unknown to me. The Wikipedia page on the Snowy Owl has a remarkable photograph of the species in flight with an American Black Duck in its talons. It was my intent on this trip to additionally observe and photograph a Harlequin Duck, another rarity at Fort Clinch State Park further to the north. However, I became unable to effectively work the controls of the camera. Inquiring what a fellow visitor to Little Talbot was looking at over the waters of the Atlantic Ocean, I made my first sighting of a Northern Gannet unfortunately much too distant to feebly photograph. A Northern Harrier observed while I was leaving the park was possibly the same seen by Eric and Georgia on their 27 December visit. After exposure to the frigid conditions, I desperately needed warmth in the car. Although this trip was initially planned with an overnight layover, I drove home that same morning. While the images presented in this article are heavily cropped, it was well worth the trip for the observation made.

The immature Bald Eagle above was photographed at Little Talbot Island State Park in January 2014.

The immature Bald Eagle above was photographed at Little Talbot Island State Park in January 2014.

The immature Bald Eagle above was photographed at Little Talbot Island State Park in January 2014.

The immature Bald Eagle above was photographed at Little Talbot Island State Park in January 2014.

The Snowy Owl above was photographed at Little Talbot Island State Park in January 2014.

The Snowy Owl above was photographed at Little Talbot Island State Park in January 2014.

The Snowy Owl remained at Little Talbot Island State Park at least through 9 January 2014 as had been reported.

The Snowy Owl above was photographed at Little Talbot Island State Park in January 2014.

Winter Wonderland 2011: Estero Lagoon

Well into winter now, it was a treat to have some warmer Florida weather conditions for a change.

The White Ibis above was photographed at Estero Lagoon in January 2011.

It had warmed up nicely to about 70 degrees at the time of my late afternoon visit to Estero Lagoon.

I have attempted to convince occasional visitor Frank Constantin of the preferred lighting conditions at the lagoon approaching sunset while Frank prefers its morning light.

The Reddish Egret juvenile above was photographed at Estero Lagoon in January 2011.

My experience has been that the birding action is more active later in the day as very early risers adjacent to the lagoon possibly scare the wildlife away in the low light conditions before I arrive.

I passed a photographer this week along the lagoon's western edge walking away from the possible action with what appeared to be a 70-300 zoom telling him that he was headed in the wrong direction.

The Willet above was photographed at Estero Lagoon in January 2011.

He replied that it was "martini time" as he was making a bee line for the Tiki Hut.

It is always tempting on afternoon visits to Estero Lagoon to walk south along the beach to the cut the tidal forces from the Gulf of Mexico has made in the beach for the vital regeneration of the south lagoon where the wading birds will congregate for easy pickings.

The Ring-billed Gull above was photographed at Estero Lagoon in January 2011.

I chose to stay at the north lagoon where something interesting always seems to happen as well.

An accommodating Yellow-crowned Night-Heron was a surprise at the spot I settled down at as on previous visits to the lagoon I typically see the species closer to the Holiday Inn and never before on the far side of the lagoon unlike this week.

The Yellow-crowned Night-Heron above was photographed at Estero Lagoon in January 2011.

If you've never had the experience, Florida wading birds in particular may allow you surprisingly close to them while I recommend you simply allow them to come to you.

There were regrettably no successful flight shot opportunities this week although it was with great interest of mine to devote the time to observe the behavior of the Yellow-crowned Night-Heron again.

The Yellow-crowned Night-Heron above was photographed at Estero Lagoon in January 2011.

The species will stalk its prey, always for small crabs in my observations, with almost motionless behavior until the time of the strike.

Once the bird has its attention focused, it will seemingly not be deterred until it gets its meal.

The Yellow-crowned Night-Heron above was photographed at Estero Lagoon in January 2011.

The species often appears oblivious to its surroundings although was distracted with a cracked branch under my feet on one occasion when I wasn't so careful.

This week's visit to the lagoon was with the intent to experiment with a high ISO equivalent setting of the camera while also using flash on occasion.

The Yellow-crowned Night-Heron above was photographed at Estero Lagoon in January 2011.

I found in review of the shots taken a personal preference for several significantly overexposed images, and will attempt to use the technique more in the future.

I'm intrigued by a computer program you might have an interest in, recommended by Kim Komando this week, that is free.

The Yellow-crowned Night-Heron above was photographed at Estero Lagoon in January 2011.

The program allows the viewing of EXIF data (camera settings, time, date, etc.) of a JPEG image which I thought a neat idea.

It is not necessary when viewing my images at pbase as I let you see all that information if it interests you.

The Black-bellied Plover above was photographed at Estero Lagoon in January 2011.

I think a side benefit of the program which can be downloaded by clicking here allows you to keep EXIF data hidden which should be the right of the photographer.

The only information I think might best be discrete is that of the location of a shot to protect the subject.

The Snowy Egret juvenile above was photographed at Estero Lagoon in January 2011.

If a fellow photographer at pbase doesn't divulge their EXIF information, I typically won't review their work as I see half the enjoyment of an image in having a basic understanding of the creation of the shot before any post processing work.

The location of the shot should at least be generally noted for added interest of a wildlife image.

The White Ibis above was photographed at Estero Lagoon in January 2011.

GPS information in metadata is certainly not something to be overlooked if incorporated while a reviewer of the "snoop" program describes it as "great tool to inspect JPEG image[s]."

Back at the lagoon, it was fun to hear the call of a Great Blue Heron (not the most appealing of bird song) that is fairly uncommon to hear as are the calls of other larger birds in the area.

The Great Blue Heron above was photographed at Estero Lagoon in January 2011.

The use of flash had no obvious impact on the behavior of the heron whatever nor has it on any bird I've photographed I'm quite sure.

I note this because of commentary I've heard that flash is frowned upon in bird photography.

The Little Blue Heron above was photographed at Estero Lagoon in January 2011.

The story told to me which I mentioned not too many posts ago seems anomalous.

It was fun as well to observe a juvenile Reddish Egret show nesting behavior with vegetation picked out of the water and toyed with for about 30 seconds.

The Little Blue Heron above was photographed at Estero Lagoon in January 2011.

As the sun disappeared below the horizon, I was greeted with the moon rising toward the east with Roseate Spoonbill observed as a pair in flight in near darkness.

I had little trouble with reflection from the buildings which I recall Frank noting as a concern of his during afternoon photography at Estero Lagoon.

The moonrise above was photographed at Estero Lagoon in January 2011.

A visit to Estero Lagoon has always been rewarding at any time in my experience.

When You Least Expect It

In my recent travels to Cape Coral, Florida, making an effort to observe and document the Burrowing Owl, I found a few surprises.

The Osprey above was photographed near Cape Coral Library in March 2010.

I have to admit that I found myself getting lost on the roads of Cape Coral even though the majority of them traverse the city east/west and north/south.

My GPS device was useful on one occasion after I thought I had completely lost my bearings which I'll blame on the bridges from the mainland.

The Burrowing Owl above was photographed near Cape Coral Library in March 2010.

Earlier than that, however, I was seemingly going to run out of daylight as I traveled west on a highway (for the second time that afternoon) that offered in a few minutes time the sighting of two bird species I had not seen before in my near three years of Florida birding.

Flyovers of birds of many different species while driving can be expected to occur regularly in such an accommodating climate as southwest Florida.

The budding wildife enthusiasts above were photographed near Cape Coral Library in March 2010.

The rarer extraordinary event is when you have a bird such as a Wood Stork pace you at eye level along your route as experienced during a trip to Bunche Beach Preserve traveling south on Summerlin Road last month.

A Cape Coral experience was especially interesting as a bird I saw heading south and very low to the ground seemed to be in distress.

Frank above was photographed near Cape Coral Library in March 2010.

I made the earliest u-turn to get a closer look at what I thought was surely a hawk then clearly seen in an undeveloped parcel of property.

I wasn't able to identify the hawk as Cooper's nor the prey at its feet which was a Eurasian Collared Dove until I hit the books back at home.

The Burrowing Owl above was photographed near Cape Coral Library in March 2010.

This was an extraordinary experience to say the least.

That sighting is put in perspective somewhat as I think of the many hours I've spent observing the Burrowing Owl in which time I've seen in relative seconds the mating of the birds or even more uncommon their feeding behavior.

The Cooper's Hawk above was photographed near Cape Coral Library in March 2010.

An unusual late winter storm attributed to El Niño dumped a large amount of rain on the area these past couple of days which may prove beneficial to the owls with insect and other photographic opportunity across much of the state.

I would certainly like to have the opportunity to re-shoot the owls with them hunting for food with prey in focus beyond mice considered to be a staple in their diet.

The Cooper's Hawk with Eurasian Collared Dove above was photographed near Cape Coral Library in March 2010.

On my most recent trip to see the owls at and near the Cape Coral Library, I was very surprised to see fellow wildlife photographer Frank, visiting from Montréal, who I've seen for the third time at different venues in the area coincidentally.

With extreme optimism I hope to see my friend Tim Rucci later next week as he makes his way across Florida for some wildlife documentation with his friend Ken Conger.

Fall 2009 Florida Birding Migration Action I

In the days ahead, I hope to make the best of Florida birding. An opportunity for some R&R and to see what may be at the tail end of the height of the 2009 Fall migration action along the Great Florida Birding Trail.

The Reddish Egret above was photographed at San Carlos Bay: Bunche Beach Preserve in November 2008.

A last minute look at the weather forecast has me realize that I need to reverse my planned itinerary to avoid the precipitation from a storm front working its way toward the Eastern seaboard of the United States.

I realize that some of the best birding is involved in the storm fronts, but I'm unsure of how to take best advantage of them. I would prefer to stay within dry conditions as best I can.

The Short-billed Dowitcher above was photographed at San Carlos Bay: Bunche Beach Preserve in November 2009.

Perhaps at some point in the future I will have the opportunity to make very good study of this phenomenon.

In the meantime, it will be through some basic understanding of what I've experienced thus far, that further enjoyment of the wildlife around us that often goes unnoticed by most will be better understood and appreciated.

The Little Blue Heron above was photographed at San Carlos Bay: Bunche Beach Preserve in November 2008.

My journey into the West Region of the birding trail in early 2009, beyond the comforts of home, has me recall a layover I made at a hotel which I ended up staying at due to the accommodation made in the reduction in the price of the room by inquiring of the hotel's affiliation with the Great Florida Birding Trail.

I don't think there actually is one with that particular chain, but there was a significant reduction in the price of the room when I made the inquiry. This approach will be used again when in need of rest not knowing where I'll be at the end of a day.

The Semipalmated Plover above was photographed at San Carlos Bay: Bunche Beach Preserve in November 2008.

I will be making my first use of a recently acquired GPS assistant Garmin nüvi. This brand was recommended to me by Tim Rucci, while I chose to purchase a model with minimal features that this manufacturer currently offers.

My hope is that this device will be extremely useful while traveling a very large area with the greater potential to otherwise get lost and waste valuable observation time.

The Green Heron above was photographed at San Carlos Bay: Bunche Beach Preserve in November 2008.

I was disappointed that the device was not able to search my destination of a Florida State Park, admittedly far from my starting point.

After getting better acclimated with how the device works, it seems that once I get within a closer range of the chosen city, I will have the opportunity to select a park of interest as investigated through the "camera" icon on the monitor.

My expectation is to have observations made in the days ahead weighted more heavily toward coastal observations than those further inland.

In any event, I expect to have an exciting and memorable time.