Mt. Crawford 12/30/13

All photos are © Marshall Faintich

After several attempts of searching for the Snowy Owl near Bridgewater, Virginia, I had just about given up hope of seeing one during 2013, and was resigned to waiting for sometime in 2014. But one had been seen for the past few days in a cornfield just off Cecil Wampler Road next to I-81 near Mt. Crawford. Walt Childs and I had already looked in that area three times in the past couple of weeks without success.

When I read a posting that the Snowy Owl was still there yesterday afternoon, I called Walt to see if he wanted to go there this morning. Walt read another posting before we left that it was there at 7:15 this morning. Out estimated time of arrival was 10:00, and we hoped that it would still be there.

When we arrived, we saw about 10 birders looking out onto the corn field. Sure enough, the Snowy Owl was still there - about 200 feet from the road. It looked like it was trying to get some sleep, but occasionally turned it head or shifted its body into a new position. Even though the sky was overcast, I was able to get some decent photos of my life bird #521, and my 56th life bird of 2013.


Snowy Owl


Snowy Owl


Snowy Owl


Snowy Owl


Snowy Owl


Snowy Owl


Snowy Owl


Snowy Owl



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