I went up to Boundary Bay, BC, weekend before last to look for snowy owls,
and I ended up observing a unique encounter between a snowy owl and a great
blue heron.

A heron landed on the logs near the owl and kept hunting until it got within
about 15 feet of the owl. The owl fluffed up its feathers to look bigger and
kept a constant eye on the heron as it kept getting closer. The heron stayed
up on the logs the entire time. Finally, the heron stopped again, and both
the owl and heron had a long staredown. Then, the heron came closer, and
when it got within a few feet of the owl, the snowy flew to a log about 20
feet away. It was just amazing to see the two of them together like that. I
wish I had thought to switch into video on my camera, but as it was, I
almost forgot to get stills, I was so excited about what the interaction! I
did manage a few photos, you can see one at:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/nancyjwagner/6528700885/in/photostream

This made a very special morning of seeing dozens of snowy owls even better!

Nancy Wagner
Bothell, WA
Nancy AT nancywagnerphotography.com


--
Nancy J. Wagner Photography
http://www.NancyWagnerPhotography.com
Phone: 425-415-6427

"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change
the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever has."
Margaret Mead