Sunday, January 5, 2014

Snow Much Fun!!!

A rare Florida visitor, indeed!
A Snowy Owl has taken up residence at a state park near Jacksonville, Florida for a little over a week. This is reported to be only the 3rd ever confirmed Snowy Owl sighting in Florida.


I made the trip to see the Snowy Owl at Little Talbot Island State Park on Friday morning. The owl was hunkered down on a dune, a good distance away from the viewing crowd. 


It was a chilly (by Florida standards) morning with strong winds blowing 20+ mph. The owl remained still most of the time that I was there, occasionally preening or stretching.





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29 comments:

  1. TexWisGirlJanuary 5, 2014 at 9:41 AM

    wow! amazing that they will get that far south!!! i know they've been hitting the NE this year (last year seemed the NW). sure hope they're finding food plentiful.

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    1. TammyJanuary 5, 2014 at 6:52 PM

      It is pretty amazing to find one so far south! I too hope it is finding enough to eat so it will have the strength to make back up north!

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  2. eileeninmdJanuary 5, 2014 at 9:50 AM

    Very cool, I hope it survives. It is a beautiful owl, awesome photos!

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  3. Marc HeathJanuary 5, 2014 at 10:04 AM

    Wow, that is a bird I would love to see in the wild, nice photos Tammy.

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  4. KaHollyJanuary 5, 2014 at 10:06 AM

    There has been quite the eruption of Snowy Owls, but I never thought of finding one in FL!! Nice pics.

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    1. TammyJanuary 5, 2014 at 6:57 PM

      Thank you, Karen! I never imagined seeing one here either! I grew up near Lake Ontario in NY and saw them occasionally in the winter.

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  5. Pasión por las avesJanuary 5, 2014 at 10:50 AM

    Hola Tammy bellas imagenes de esta cita que habeis tenido de Florida,rara para la latitud supongo que por los fuertes vientos y el temporal de nieve que esta padeciendo EEUU.Un fuerte abrazo y feliz semana

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    1. TammyJanuary 5, 2014 at 6:59 PM

      Thank you, Antonio! I was glad to see this rare visitor. I hope it will fare well!

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  6. CatherineJanuary 5, 2014 at 11:11 AM

    Aren't snow owls amazing? I very rare treat indeed. I love seeing one in the wild. Very beautiful.
    xo Catherine

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    1. TammyJanuary 5, 2014 at 7:01 PM

      They are amazing! Its been a very long time since I've seen one in the wild. Are they common in your area?

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  7. Alan PaveyJanuary 5, 2014 at 11:28 AM

    Excellent bird Tammy, I saw one many years ago in Lincolnshire but would love to see another, great shots as ever :-)

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  8. AnonymousJanuary 5, 2014 at 12:18 PM

    My daughter told me last night about the Snowy Owl sightings in Jacksonville. I'm so glad you were able to make the trip up there to see and photograph them right here in Florida. I'm exciting for you - your shots are amazing, well done my blogger friend :)

    Hugs to lil' birder xo

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    1. TammyJanuary 5, 2014 at 7:07 PM

      Hi Pam, I was so happy that I was able to make it up there! We were on a trip out of Fl when the owl was first discovered so I was glad it stuck around for a while. Thanks so much for your kind comments:)

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  9. AnonymousJanuary 5, 2014 at 12:56 PM

    Hi Tammy, So happy you got to see this unique bird up in the Jacksonville, FL area. I am in Marion County but can't make it up to see the bird. Thanks for sharing the views. Nice photographs! I was referred by my blog friend, TexWisGirl, of the Run Around Ranch Blog. Have an outstanding coming week!

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    1. TammyJanuary 5, 2014 at 7:12 PM

      Thanks so much for stopping by and for your comments! I hope you have a great week too!

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  10. RonJanuary 5, 2014 at 1:17 PM

    Lucky you! Great shots Tammy!

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  11. Ottars fotobloggJanuary 5, 2014 at 1:55 PM

    The snowy owl is a fantastic bird, great pictures you got from it. Enjoyed the whole series.

    Ottar

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  12. GordonJanuary 5, 2014 at 2:14 PM

    I don't believe this !! I'm glad you got such good photos Tammy otherwise I wouldn't have believed it. We use to have a pair breeding in the North of the British Isles, but I have never seen one in the wild. I'm really pleased for you.
    All the very best Gordon.

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  13. AnonymousJanuary 5, 2014 at 3:54 PM

    Great shots you got of him. Beautiful! I heard the weather there was not good. I probably won't make it up there so glad to see your shots.

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  14. IrmaJanuary 6, 2014 at 12:34 AM

    What a great photos of the snowy owl.
    Very well photographed Tammy, my compliments.
    Greetings Irma

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  15. ShaunJanuary 6, 2014 at 1:12 AM

    I do like a good photo of an owl but a snowy in Florida. Must be on this annual vacation

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  16. Joop ZandJanuary 6, 2014 at 1:23 AM

    I like this snowowl...... good serie tammy.

    Greetings, Joop

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  17. Stewart MJanuary 6, 2014 at 2:03 AM

    What a stunning bird! I assume it must feel a little out of place in Florida - although the sand does look a little like snow at first glance.

    Cheers - Stewart M - Melbourne

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  18. Marco LuijkenJanuary 6, 2014 at 2:10 AM

    Hello Tammy,
    Amazing shots!!
    That must be great to see this owl. So beautiful!!

    Best regards, Marco

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  19. MariaJanuary 6, 2014 at 2:45 PM

    I can't believe this, I wonder if this is a vagrant, how did it fly south? Well, I don't blame him!

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  20. Two Old BirdsJanuary 11, 2014 at 1:22 PM

    Wow is all I can say. Great job. Heard about this on the news . wonder if he's still there. definatly worth the trip. Great shots. Lauren

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I greatly appreciate your comments!

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