Erika

I was able to visit a Raptor Wildlife Rehabilitation Center back in November 2020. I do wildlife photography on the side so getting to see these owls who were in situations where they were unable to released back in the wild was really inspiring. Great Horned Owl, Barred Owl, Northern Saw-whet Owl, and the Eastern Screech Owl red morph. In the wild, I saw my first Great Horned Owl nest in May 2020 which was so special, but I've seen/heard them a couple times around dusk. In December 2020 I saw my first Short-eared Owl. Three were hanging around the local airport and they were so stunning to see! My first owl sighting ever was actually on accident! I was on a drive by the beach in July and there happened to be a male snowy owl on chimney. I thought it was fake until I saw all the birders around and it turned its head and looked at me! 2014, and it really helped me get into photography. This past January I was able to see one Snowy owl a few times and she has such a happy almost comical looking face. However, in early January, I had stopped for a red-tailed hawk who was eating a small rodent on a pole. Out of nowhere this Snowy Owl flies in and steals it. Swallows it whole! What she didn't realize, is that there was a pair of red-tailed hawks. They started diving in an attempt to get it away and no one else was around! Just my mom and I and I have to say it was so amazing and shocking because it was within 50 ft of where I stood! I couldn't ask for a more special moment and I'll treasure it always.