Snowy Owl at the Lake Express in Milwaukee Wisconsin on December 30, 2015

On a gloomy day with some on and off snow flurries the highlight on Milwaukee’s lakefront today was finding a Snowy Owl at the Lake Express Ferry. It sat on a container the time I was there. Bruce joined me and enjoyed the views too. We had been together earlier at Bradford Beach watching 4 nice Great Black-backed Gulls on the beach but were in the water more than out. The Snowy Owl seemed to be in the hunting mode but never went for anything. It did some preening and resting but that was about it. I think it is a male but have not really studied it yet. A nice way to end the year with seeing the 1st Snowy Owl of the season. 2 hunting Northern Harriers  and a American Kestrel also made themselves present at the Lake Express. Images were taken on December 30, 2015.

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Snowy Owl

Binomial name: Bubo scandiacus

Category: Typical Owls

Description: Adult males are mostly white with a few dark feather tips.  Adult females and juveniles are white with dark scalloping on chest, back, wings, and tail.  Yellow eyes, black beak, and feathery feet.

Size: 20”- 28” long, 49” – 59” wingspan

Weight: 3.5 lb. – 6.6 lb.

Habitat: Wide open, treeless spaces such as shorelines, lakes, open fields, and agricultural sites.

Diet: Small mammals such as rodents, lemmings, voles, mice, rats, rabbits, squirrels, raccoons, and other birds such as shorebirds, songbirds, ducks, geese, and pheasants.

Nesting: The female builds a nest on a mound with good visibility.  She scrapes away the top layer of soil and, over several days, presses her body into the ground to make a depression.  She will lay a clutch of 3 to 11 eggs and incubate them for about 5 weeks.  Both parents will defend the nest and care for the hatchlings which are born pure white.  The same nest may be used year after year.

Notes: Snowy owls are considered the heaviest owl in North America, weighing about a pound more than its closest contender, the Great Horned Owl.  A snowy owl was featured in the Harry Potter series when Harry received his pet, Hedwig.  It is also the official bird of Quebec.

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About admin

Window to Wildlife features the photography of Jim Edlhuber. A lifelong native of Wisconsin, Jim has been photographing wildlife for 20 years. He considers himself an avid photographer and is always trying to capture nature and wildlife through his lens. He is in several photography clubs and has won numerous awards for his work. In recent years, Jim has focused mostly on birding photography and finds it to be the most challenging.

6 Responses to Snowy Owl at the Lake Express in Milwaukee Wisconsin on December 30, 2015

  1. Marci Lanois says:

    Wonderful images, Jim. I especially like the one where he/she is fluffing its feathers. Reminds me of a turkey. ? I’m still waiting to see my first one this winter.

  2. Annie says:

    Awesome Jim. Certainly not as many as last year, so far anyway. Thanks

  3. Nan Wisherd says:

    I love owls, and your photos are great. Happy New Year!

  4. Rick Terrien says:

    Another wonderful album Jim! Thank you.

  5. I always enjoy your photos! What a sight! We moved across from Beaver Dam Lake awhile back…we were thrilled to see an eagle earlier this week! Happy New Year!

  6. Elaine Swanson says:

    Jim – you’re a master at capturing expression – this time, the many faces of the Snowy. He appears aloof, haughty, vulnerable, ancient, a comic, profoundly mysterious! Thank you for sharing your talents. This is one extraordinary bird – the Snowy Owl!

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