It’s been another great winter for Snowy Owls here, and treks to the islands out in Lake Ontario to see these mysterious beauties never fail to reveal something special.

Sleepy Snowy Owl on Wolfe Island

Why do Snowy Owls like islands so much?   A few reasons.   First of all the islands out in Lake Ontario are flat, with many open areas like the tundra the Snowy Owls like so much in the north.   Also, food availability is high, since the islands seem to have high populations of voles and mice on land, and ducks out in the water.

In our area, Wolfe Island, Amherst Island, and Gull Island have all been excellent for finding Snowies.

Long staying Gull Island Snowy Owl heading out over the lake

Early in the winter, trips out to Gull Island at Presqu’ile Park allowed me to watch this beautiful, reliable Snowy Owl go about its daily routines.

Hello!

Snowy Owls arrive at Presqu’ile around mid November, and are fairly easy to spot against the backdrop of grasses until Lake Ontario becomes covered in ice.   At that time the owls tend to sit out on the ice far away and are much harder to spot.

My friend photographing Snowies on Wolfe Island

Later in the winter Wolfe Island and Amherst Island are great bets for seeing Snowy Owls. Both Islands require a drive towards Kingston, and a short ferry ride.    Those trips are great to do with friends, to make all the driving more enjoyable.

Not sure what this is?

Wolfe Island- A Blue owl?

We made a couple of really interesting finds on Wolfe Island.   First of all, we saw this owl with blue all over its wings.   Upon investigation, we found out that “airport owls” – ones who hang around at airports, are often marked with blue before they are captured, banded and released in another area.   So although all of us thought there was something wrong with our cameras, that really was a blue owl we were seeing!

Owl and deer

Another thing we found was an owl sitting on a fencepost right by a herd of deer, totally unperturbed.   Even more astounding was when the owl stayed put as the deer leaped over the fence one by one, right past it.

No big deal

Rooftop ornamentation

Yes, it’s what you think

Amherst Island, where owls roost on the top of people’s houses it seems, is closer to me than Wolfe Island, so I made it out there quite a few times this winter.

Look what’s by the ferry landing!

I love Amherst Island!

Hunting from a fencepost

The best time to go there to see owls is early morning, or the couple of hours before sunset.

Little white lump

The rest of the day the owls tend to hunker down on the ground and are difficult to spot unless they happen to be near the road.

Trying to camouflage…

But if you get there at the right time of day, you will certainly be treated to a great show- owls hunting, screeching at each other, even fighting brief arial fights for territory.

Early morning hunt

Snowy Owls will be around roughly from mid November until the end of March each year.    If you have never tried looking for them, grab a friend, and head to the islands!

Happy Spring!

The post Owls and Islands appeared first on Leslie Abram Photography.

You made it!

Located on Lake Ontario, just southeast of Kingston, this little island is a haven for wildlife.

The Frontenac Two. Don’t know where Frontenac One is.

Every trip to Amherst Island begins and ends with a ferry ride.   It’s only 20 minutes, but there’s always lots to see.

Ferry channel in early March

This time of year, the ferry has to break through big chunks of ice to make the crossing.

Ducks making way for the ferry

Waterfowl live in the channels of open water.  Sometimes you can see a Snowy Owl sitting out on the ice too.   They will dine on the waterfowl if that is on their menu for the evening.

Wooly

The island is completely rural, full of sheep farms and horses.  It is also a paradise for raptors, due to its high vole population. Many birds of prey overwinter here because the hunting is good.  A drive around Amherst Island on a winter day is sure to be interesting. You never know what you are going to see.

Public School Snowy Owl

Snowy Owls pretty much own the island.   The one above likes to perch over the playground at the public school.

Sentinel

This one likes the main intersection.

Fire hall Snowy

The most reliable Snowy Owl is this young one, who likes its vantage point from an old twisted tree behind the fire hall.

What a sight

It’s not hard to find these beauties.  They stand out in stark contrast to the sky.

Relaxing

This snowy looks pretty content.   That’s because it had just finished a skirmish for territory with another owl, and found a nice place to perch.

Hunting

This owl was off to go hunting.

Bald Eagle

A drive around the island can also yield many other spectacular raptors, like this young Bald Eagle.

Short-Eared Owl at dusk

I saw my second Short-Eared Owl ever, just before sunset one night.    I had to decide whether to photograph it, or get on the next ferry back to the mainland.   Well, I managed to do both, but it was tight!

Rough Legged hawk

There are numerous Rough-Legged Hawks on the island as well.  They are remarkably large birds of prey. So far, I have only photographed them from a great distance, but some day I will get lucky. They are gorgeous birds. Red-Tailed Hawks are also numerous on the island, but I do not have a single photo of one.  Someday.

White Tailed Deer

Amherst Island is also a great place to see White Tailed Deer.  We saw this lovely little one just at sunset. Note the grass showing in this photo.   Amazing! Haven’t seen that in a while.

???

Check out this bird.    It was hard to figure out what in the world it was, and what the people were doing out on the ice  on Lake Ontario, south of the island.    After intensive spying with binoculars and zoom lenses, we finally figured out it was a little helicopter, and the people were out ice fishing!   Pretty posh.

Goodbye for now

As the sun goes down, it’s time to catch the ferry and head back to the mainland.  Looking back on Amherst Island from the back of the ferry, it’s so amazing to think that this tiny, flat little island out on Lake Ontario can be such a haven for wildlife.  That’s what keeps me going back!

The post Welcome to Amherst Island appeared first on Leslie Abram Photography.

Barred Owl 2010

The sighting of that little Barred Owl started a love affair with Barred Owls that continues to this day.   I have studied them extensively, know their local hangouts, and have (who knows how many) photographs of them.   Today’s blog will be a photo showcase of some of the beautiful Barred Owls I have had the pleasure to find.     These owls are not exotic or far away.   They are right in our local area.

Fluffed up on a cold day.

Barred Owls have beautiful striped feather patterns, that help them blend in with their surroundings in the woods.

On the Lookout

The Hunter- Brighton, Ontario

They will hunt rodents from an exposed perch such as a dead tree or an overhanging branch.

Owl Woods, Amherst Island, Ontario

Barred Owls are basically nocturnal.  Generally speaking when you come across a Barred Owl it will be roosting.   Though it will check you out and follow you with its eyes, it really does not want to move- it is resting.  If you move quietly and slowly, the owl may stay put.

Vision- Barred Owl in Jobes Woods- October 2013

This owl was only 7 feet up a tree, right next to the path I was on.   I would have had to walk right under it if I were to continue on down the path.   I just sat down quietly and watched it.   It watched me too.   Look at those eyes. Oh boy.

Barred Owl in the early morning light- Presqu’ile Park

Early morning is a great time to find Barred Owls.   This little owl was hunting, then settled in to roost.

My local sugar bush owl

Barred Owls are famous for their wonderful vocalizations.   “Who Cooks for you?  Who cooks for you-all?”   Once you have heard it you will never forget it.

Listen to the Barred Owl’s call here.

The highlight of my week this week was when I heard a Barred Owl calling in the woods near where I was walking.   Nobody else was around, so just for the fun of it I tried imitating it and calling back.    The owl flew over me, and with a big “whoooo-ahhh” settled into a tree just above my head. (!!!!!!)    Here it is:

October 2014- Barred Owl in the Dappled Shade

Love it.

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The post Where it all began: My love affair with Barred Owls appeared first on Leslie Abram Photography.