Snowy Owl - Harrison Twp

Snowy Owl - Harrison Twp, a photo by JKissnHug on Flickr.

Via Flickr:
A birder friend sent me a tweet about a Snowy Owl he spotted on a business along South River Road in Harrison Twp. I sent him a message back and he said there was a possible second owl on a house just down the street. I was extremely excited to hear about a Snowy Owl in the area. This would be a life bird for me. After a short debate with myself, I grabbed my camera gear, binoculars and headed out to Harrison Twp. in hopes of finding at least one of the owls. I got out to the location and immediately found the owl on the top of the business and took several photos from the ground. I watched the bird until it flew to the east and landed on a house across the canal. I then drove east toward the DNR boat launch and spotted a Snowy Owl on the rooftop of a house down the street from the business. I met up with my friend to say thank you and introduce myself in person. We chatted a short bit about birding at Metro Beach and Harrison Twp. He then headed back home and I went back to the S. River Road house to get these shots which were much closer and from a better vantage point. I only saw one owl, but it sure was worth the 90 mile round trip from Commerce Twp.

Getting this bird on my life list makes up for missing the White-winged cross bills and Northern Shrike at Indian Springs Metropark (just a few miles away from my house).

Short-eared Owl

Short-eared Owl, a photo by JKissnHug on Flickr.

Via Flickr:
This owl would be found in the fields and marshes of the countryside. Will hunt during the day by flying low to the ground.

Barred Owl on Bittersweet

Barred Owl on Bittersweet, a photo by JKissnHug on Flickr.

Via Flickr:
A Barred Owl that resides at the Howell Nature Center in Howell, Michigan.