Thanks, Todd. The links didn't work until I clipped off the end ")." Great views. I just took delivery of a Canon 300 2.8 IS, hope to try it out in the next few weeks. I really like the lighting here, well planned. Dnag, another typo (!).
Showy Owls? Was that a typo, cause this girl really likes to put on a show. These owls are creatures of habit. In the winter, they come down from the north and seek out a territory that reminds them of home; flat, wide-open spaces. Is there any terrain like that where you are? hehe
As far as I know, this owl has been hanging around the same place every winter for the past few years. She is very close to Ottawa (I only have to drive five minutes from work to get to her) and in the middle of a tract of farm land. Not only is she that regular from year to year, she could be found at the top of the same tree, every day, at 4:00pm. Every day, there would be this large crowd of people that would gather to take photos and she seems to be used to people, as she would basicly ignore us and go about her business. She also shares her territory with a juvenile who is much more elusive (I have one in-flight shot of him http://www.usefilm.com/image/1261459.html).
Most of the snowy pics recently have been of the same owl, although I do have some one-offs from west-end Ottawa and Amherst Island near Kingston (a beautful all-white male http://www.usefilm.com/image/1238816.html).
To answer your question, check the range of the owl in the winter (you may have to go out of town), look for suitable terrain in a rural area, scan the low post tops and ground (they usually stay low as there are no trees where they come from) near dusk and dawn. It is actually surprisingly easy to spot them, as they are a different colour than the snow. I also subscribe to a mailing list of the Ontario Field Naturalists Club. I get reports of sightings from all over the province (this has been the biggest help in my search for birds).
Best of luck, Dave. Hope you get a chance to see one soon.
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{K:150877} 3/11/2007
