Migratory and irruptive Snowy Owls spend winters in places that look much like their tundra breeding habitat. These are often broad, open and grassy places near the ocean or other water.
Snowy Owls will hunt at all times of the day as necessary but are mostly nocturnal and begin their hunting as the ssun sets.
A female Snowy Owl at her nest fluffs out her feathers before settling in to warm her young.
Three Snowy Owls engage with one another with the Cascade Mountains looming in the background.
Snowy Owls are most active after sunset, before sunrise or when the sun is obscured by clouds, but can be active at any hour.
A juvenile Snowy Owl begins hunting at dawn amid the blowing snow.
A Snowy Owl hunts from the top of a tombstone on a snowy fall morning. Snowy Owls prefer to hunt from elevated perches which can be in short supply on the flat tundra.
A male Snowy Owl retreats after confronting a stronger competitor.
Five Snowy Owls roost on a Pacific Northwest beach with Mount Baker looming int he background.