Unusual number of arctic owls

An unusual number of arctic owls are being spotted in the U.S. this year and not in their usual habitats:

The owls live in the Arctic, but when their population spikes or lemmings are scarce, young ones fly south.

“Snowy owl populations are synchronized with their food source, lemmings," wildlife photographer Lillian Stokes, who co-authors the Stokes bird guides, said Dec. 5. “If the lemming population crashes, the owls have to go south in search of food."

A few snowy owls are seen in the U.S. every year, Stokes said. “But this year is phenomenal. People believe this could be historic numbers."

- See more at: http://pikecountycourier.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20131209/NEWS01/131209955/-1/news01/Unusual-number-of-Arctic-snowy-owls-seen-in-US#sthash.2yqdCLBu.dpuf

The owls live in the Arctic, but when their population spikes or lemmings are scarce, young ones fly south.

“Snowy owl populations are synchronized with their food source, lemmings," wildlife photographer Lillian Stokes, who co-authors the Stokes bird guides, said Dec. 5. “If the lemming population crashes, the owls have to go south in search of food."

A few snowy owls are seen in the U.S. every year, Stokes said. “But this year is phenomenal. People believe this could be historic numbers."

- See more at: http://pikecountycourier.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20131209/NEWS01/131209955/-1/news01/Unusual-number-of-Arctic-snowy-owls-seen-in-US#sthash.2yqdCLBu.dpu

The owls live in the Arctic, but when their population spikes or lemmings are scarce, young ones fly south.

“Snowy owl populations are synchronized with their food source, lemmings," wildlife photographer Lillian Stokes, who co-authors the Stokes bird guides, said Dec. 5. “If the lemming population crashes, the owls have to go south in search of food."

A few snowy owls are seen in the U.S. every year, Stokes said. “But this year is phenomenal. People believe this could be historic numbers."

- See more at: http://pikecountycourier.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20131209/NEWS01/131209955/-1/news01/Unusual-number-of-Arctic-snowy-owls-seen-in-US#sthash.2yqdCLBu.dpuf

http://pikecountycourier.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20131209/NEWS01/131209955/-1/news01/Unusual-number-of-Arctic-snowy-owls-seen-in-US

Sir David Attenborough is honored

Great news! Britain's most famous naturalist Sir David Attenborough has been awarded the freedom of the city of Bristol - the highest honor the city can bestow. The award marks the close association between Sir David and the BBC's Natural History Unit. He described the award as a great honor not just for him, but for the whole team. 

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-25412432

More dead whales in the Florida Keys

Associated Press

Dec 8 (Reuters) - Eleven more pilot whales were found dead in the lower Florida Keys on Sunday, believed to be from a pod of 51 that became stranded there last week, and authorities said chances were slim of finding the remaining whales alive.

http://www.miamiherald.com/2013/12/09/3808627/eleven-pilot-whales-from-everglades.html 

Snowy Owl on 63rd St. Pier

My friend took this photo of a snowy owl today:

Photo by Jane Masterson

According to the Field Museum in Chicago: They're back! Snowy Owls are staging an impressive flight south of their normal range,  with as many as five being seen at a single location on the Chicago lakefront. Local photographer Jerry Goldner has been closely monitoring them and caught this incredible  image of a Snowy Owl chasing after a Common Goldeneye. Jerry reports that the goldeneye  won this round, diving under the lake just in the nick of time.

The owl is the symbol of the feminine, the moon and the night. The owl is the bird of magic and darkness, of prophecy and wisdom. The owl is associated with Athena. An owl totem gives you the power to extract secrets. Meditate on the owl and things will be revealed. Listen to its voice inside of you. You will hear not what is being said by others, but what is hidden. You can detect subtleties of voice that others cannot. People cannot deceive a person who has an owl totem. Owl people can see into the darkness of others souls. Most owl people are clairvoyant because of this ability. It can be very scary at times. Learn to trust your instincts about people. Let your owl totem guide you.

Snowy Owl Conserve your energy until the time is right; be observant of your surroundings. Has the power of prophecy.