Over the winter an exceptional number of snowy owls irrupted to the south of their Arctic breeding grounds. Scientists are still learning lots about these raptors. There is now evidence indicating that these large owls hunt over the open ocean at night. They use ice packs up north and their wings down south to get out to rafts of sea ducks.
Their feathers are thicker and heavier than most, which account for them being the heaviest owl in North America. Plus, they have feathers up and down their zygodactal feet to help keep their warm blood separated from the energy stealing snow that they often stand on.
The above coast master was working the marsh adjacent to some ocean swells where there were plenty of scoters available for night plucking.
Another nice site was a wisp of Wilson's snipe.
