It's been an exciting winter thus far with many photographic opportunities.  One of my favorite subjects to photograph is owls.  Owls have a mystery about them that makes them no only sought out by photographers, but the subject of many historical and modern folk lore.

One owl I was able to photograph this winter was a Northern Hawk Owl.  Prior to this winter, I had never seen nor photographed a hawk owl, so to say I was excited would be an understatement.  To top it off, I was able to see the hawk owl in Eau Claire, Wisconsin while heading to Sax-Zim Bog.  At Sax-Zim, I was able to observe and photograph several Great Gray Owls.  I have observed and photographed a Great Gray Owl in the past near Mauston, Wisconsin (well out of their normal range), but seeing them in their natural habitat at Sax-Zim was a HUGE treat.  All of this on top of another major Snowy Owl irruption.

Here are a few of my favorite photographs from the Northern Hawk Owl, Great Gray Owls, and Snowy Owls:

Northern Hawk Owl - Eau Claire, WI

Until next time,

Scott Weberpal