Anna and I were headed to Council Bluff to spend the night prior to boarding the plane to Phoenix then on to Mexico for some time with the Honorable Mr. and Mrs. Bob Cecil and the illustrious Ann Johnson. As we travelleda I-29 I began thinking about the slowdown in Snowy Owl sightings over the last couple of weeks. My mind wandered (it often does--fortunately someone usually recognizes it and brings it back) to the first Snowy Owl that Anna and I chased in Harrison County back in early 2006. We took two trips and many miles but never did see. I began to thing about the odds of finding one this year would be greatly improved. Then, as if thoughts created reality there was one at marker #120 on I-29. The exact location was just south of the Whiting overpass on the east side of I-29. Look just south of some construction signage in place there on the NORTH bound side. It appears to be of intermediate coloration with some bib to it--guessing it is an immature male but will leave that to the experts when I send them the photos. We had to drive all the way to Onowa, IA before we could find a place to turn around and head back to verify the sighting. Jumped out of my car--the wind the immediately blew my pants off--and made my way to find my binos and camera which I had so carefully packed for Mexico.
Two things of interest: 1) In the same field were ~15 Guinea fowl and 3 domesticate Mallards feeding towards the Snowy. When we left they had approached to within 12-15 yards. The Snowy Owl appears to have some blood on the face. Hope it is from eating and not an injury. 2) The reality of the Snowy was not complete as it was in Monona County and not Harrison. Nice way to add a Monona Co. bird and likely the last decent Iowa bird for awhile. Stay safe, stay warm, find lots and lots of birds. God Bless, Paul Roisen Sioux City, IA Woodbury County 712-276-0371(H) 712-301-2817(C) --- Please contribute your sightings to our list; it is only as good as members make it! --- Birding channel recommendation for FRS/GMRS radio use: Primary selection; channel 5/0 , alternate selection; channel 6/0 --- This mailing list is sponsored by the Iowa Ornithologists' Union. Membership available on-line at http://www.iowabirds.org/iou/PayDues.aspx. ----- You are currently subscribed to ia-bird as: [email protected]
