<< Previous Next >>

Snowy Owl


Snowy Owl
Photo Information
Copyright: Heinz Koloska (wallhalla15) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1767 W: 58 N: 3350] (13829)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2006-10
Categories: Birds
Camera: Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ50
Exposure: f/4, 1/60 seconds
Photo Version: Original Version
Date Submitted: 2006-12-30 3:01
Viewed: 1985
Favorites: 1 [view]
Points: 48
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
Snowy Owl

The Snowy Owl (Bubo scandiacus) is a large owl of the typical owl family Strigidae. It is also known in North America as the Arctic Owl or the Great White Owl. Until recently, it was regarded as the sole member of a distinct genus, as Nyctea scandiaca, but mtDNA cytochrome b sequence data (Olsen et al. 2002) shows that it is very closely related to the horned owls in the genus Bubo.

This huge yellow-eyed white bird is unmistakable. It is 53-65 cm long with a 125-150 cm wingspan. The adult male is virtually pure white, but females and young birds have some dark scalloping; the young are heavily barred, and dark spotting may even predominate. Its thick plumage, heavily-feathered feet, and coloration render the Snowy Owl well-adapted for life north of the Arctic Circle.

Snowy Owl calls are varied, but the alarm call is a barking, almost quacking krek-krek-krek-krek; the female also has a softer mewling pyee-pyee-pyee-pyee or "prek-prek-prek". The song is a deep repeated gawh.They may also clap their beak in response to threats or annoyances. While called clapping, it is believed this sound may actually be a clicking of the tongue, not the bill.

The Snowy Owl is typically found in the northern circumpolar region, where it makes its summer home north of latitude 60 degrees north. However, it is a particularly nomadic bird, and because population fluctuations in its prey species can force it to relocate, it has been known to breed at more southerly latitudes. During the last ice age, there was an Central European paleosubspecies of this bird, Bubo scandiacus gallicus, but subspecies are not recognized among the living population.

This species of owl nests on the ground, building a scrape on top of a mound or boulder. A site with good visibility, ready access to hunting areas, and a lack of snow is chosen. Gravel bars and abandoned eagle nests may be used. Breeding occurs in May, and depending on the amount of prey available, clutch sizes range from 5 to 14 eggs, which are laid singly, approximately every other day over the course of several days. Hatching takes place approximately five weeks after laying, and the pure white young are cared for by both parents. Snowy Owls winter south through Canada and northernmost Eurasia, with irruptions occurring further south in some years. They have been reported as far south as Texas, Georgia, the American Gulf states, southern Russia, northern China and even the Caribbean. Between 1967 and 1975, Snowy Owls bred on the remote island of Fetlar in the Shetland Isles north of Scotland, UK. Females summered as recently as 1993, but their status in the British Isles is now that of a rare winter visitor to Shetland, the Outer Hebrides and the Cairngorms.

infos from www.wikipedia.com
Janice, JORAPAVI, wkshelton, Alex99, marhowie, marmottelolo, scottevers7, volkan, SelenE, jeanpaul, livios, coasties, manyee has marked this note useful
Only registered TrekNature members may rate photo notes.
Add Critique [Critiquing Guidelines] 
Only registered TrekNature members may write critiques.
Discussions
None
You must be logged in to start a discussion.

Critiques [Translate]

  • Great 
  • Janice Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3318 W: 149 N: 6113] (18646)
  • [2006-12-30 3:49]

Hi Heinz, what a pretty white owl. Are they white all through the year, or just in winter?
Well captured and his talons look so sharp and pointed!! Well shown, and thanks for sharing...
Janice

  • Great 
  • Hil Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 705 W: 13 N: 1405] (5027)
  • [2006-12-30 5:39]

Hi Heinz

What a great shot, superb pose I love the expression you have captured, it is so funny as the Owl looks so suprised and the eye contact is great, nice details are excellent colours, I like the big fluffy feet, great for keeping warm in the harsh winters.

Best wishes for 07
Hilary :o)

hi heinz,
nice shot,
well composed with fine pov,
eyes look lovely,
tfs & regards
pankaj

hello
tres belle photo, bien nette et excellents détails
bravo et merci du partage
edith

Hola Heinz,
Extraordinaria toma por su belleza, luz, composición y nitidez. Feliz año nuevo y un cordial saludo

  • Great 
  • jossim Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1576 W: 5 N: 2180] (12248)
  • [2006-12-30 7:04]

Bonjour Heinz!

Bravo pour ce portrait,toujours interessant et agréable de voir un Harfant des neiges. À titre d'information pour vour cet oiseau est amblème nationnal du Quebec.

Merci pour le partage et bonne année.
Joseph

Hello Heinze,

Reall a wickyed looking owl, excllent colors Bg POF DOF Perfect details very crisp, nicly done TFS Kyle

  • Great 
  • Alex99 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3556 W: 143 N: 5626] (18415)
  • [2006-12-30 10:04]

Hi Heinz.
Perfect image of this wonderful owl. You have composed shot nicely. Colour tones are selected perfectly too. The owl colours harmonize with BG colour tones excellently. Very suitable soft lighting. It underlines the beauty of this bird amazedly.
My regards and best wishes.
Alexei.

Well done Heinz.
Good exposure, detail, DOF, and well composed.
I like the sort of startled, open beak look I see. Beautiful bird :)
Happy New Year mf!

  • Great 
  • Mana Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1899 W: 36 N: 5578] (18516)
  • [2006-12-30 11:38]

Hi Heinz,
Wonderful capture of the snowy owl.
Colours are excellent as is the sharpness,POV, DOF, and composition. The eyes and the beak looks so expressive, almost like it wants to tell something. Looks really beautiful.
TFS.
Sumon

  • Great 
  • hester Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1515 W: 18 N: 3165] (11638)
  • [2006-12-30 12:10]

Lovely shot, fabulous details in the white feathers. Great eyes.

TFS

Karan

bonjour heinz
cette photo est particulierement "chouette".
bonnes exposition et netteté.
bravo et bonne année 2007.
laurent

Hi Heinz,
WOW! That is a superb shot on the Snowy Owl. Overalll fame filling composition with that backround looks perfect. Beautiful colors and detail in the plumage. Great entense yellow eyes with good eye contact. Very well done my friend!
Happy New Year.
Scott

Hi Heinz,
This is an amazing shot.
Beautiful animal.
Colors,details and POV are marvellous.
TFS

these birds are never boring, such a funny face, TFS Ori

  • Great 
  • SelenE Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2399 W: 63 N: 4206] (13770)
  • [2006-12-30 18:27]

Hello Heinz,
Funny expression on his face :o) Nice framing and composition. TFS
Happy New Year
Selen

Salut Heinz
Bel oiseau,et très belle photo. Bonne composition, l'exposition est bien dosée. De l'excellent travail.Nons allons peut-être en voir ici vers la fin janvier.
Merci et au revoir...JP.

  • Great 
  • arfer Gold Star Critiquer [C: 2731 W: 0 N: 0] (0)
  • [2006-12-30 22:14]

Hello Heinz

A beautiful shot of this snowy owl.We get many of these owls where I live.Good POV and DOF.The details are very good and the colours are well saturated.Very good eye contact.It is always exciting when I see one of these large owls,you have captured this one very well.TFS

Rob

Hello Heinz

Wow... you have done an excellent job here. Details are well seen, nice eye contact and crisp, clear and tack sharp. Congrats my friend! I wish you and your family all the best for 2007 :-)

  • Great 
  • manyee Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3059 W: 231 N: 6139] (20984)
  • [2006-12-31 2:01]

Great portrait of this cute snowy owl, Heinz.
Excellent details and eye contact.
Good DOF.
Glückliches Neues Jahr, mein Freund. : )

  • Great 
  • livios Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2156 W: 322 N: 4258] (16906)
  • [2006-12-31 9:58]

Heinz, this is really great.

I have never seen one of them.

Excellent and perfect exposure upon the whites.

I do enjoy sharpness,composition and pose too.

Congratulations.

Hi Heinz,
nice shot,
well composed with fine pov,
eyes look lovely,
regards
Biswarup

  • Great 
  • wuta Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 856 W: 2 N: 617] (2142)
  • [2007-02-01 14:24]

Hello Heinz , A very beautifull Owl beatifull eyes good compositie details colours sharpnes and very nice bg , Greetings from Jaap and myself and thanks from your comments .

Hi Heinz, real great shoot of our Québec embleme real good close-up sharp and clean.

Calibration Check
















0123456789ABCDEF