Snowy Owl Activity Rises Across North America: A Promising Winter Ahead for Owl Photography Workshops

Here’s another recent frame of the male Snowy Owl I found earlier this month in the fresh snow — snow that’s now mostly gone. When I saw him, he was half-tucked into the snow, looking as relaxed as a bird can be in a November wind. What really caught my attention, though, was what had his attention: a Rough-legged Hawk perched on a lone tree nearly a kilometre away.

Watching the Dialogue Between Two Arctic Hunters

I love interactions like this — subtle, quiet, nothing dramatic, but full of meaning if you watch closely. Snowy Owls and Rough-legged Hawks share the same winter spaces and, at times, the same menu. Both are Arctic hunters that drift south when food gets tight up north. They aren’t competing in any dramatic way; they’re simply reading each other the way predators do. A shift in posture, a slight tightening of feathers, a long stare — it’s a silent language that’s been passed down through generations.

At one point, the hawk shuffled its wings, and the owl narrowed his eyes just a touch. That was the whole interaction, but it said plenty. These tiny moments are why I love photographing in winter — the landscape is quieter, and the stories stand out.

The Owl That Forgot I Existed

And the best part? He wasn’t paying any attention to me at all. That’s always my favourite thing — when the bird forgets I’m there and I get to watch real behaviour, not reactions to my presence.

A fun bit of trivia while we’re here: Rough-legged Hawks are one of the only hawk species with feathers right down to their toes — just like Snowy Owls.

Strong Early-Winter Snowy Owl Numbers

New Snowy Owl sightings continue to indicate a strong winter ahead. In Chicago, there were two confirmed at Montrose Point Bird Sanctuary.

And what’s more, the wider pattern this winter is looking really good: Snowy Owls aren’t just turning up in Chicago. There are at least four around MSP Airport in Minnesota, and dozens across Wisconsin — with the DNR reporting 84 so far. Up into Alberta, birders are seeing Snowies spread throughout more open country than usual. When Snowies show up early and in numbers like this across their winter range, it’s a strong signal that this could be a very good season.

Looking Ahead

With a bit of luck, this male will stick around. He’s already given me more than a few memorable moments, and winter hasn’t even settled in properly yet.

If you want a chance at encounters like this, I still have a few openings left in my Winter Owl Workshops this January and February. No guarantees, of course — nature decides what we see — but the way things are unfolding, it could be a very special year.

First Snowy Owl of the Season: A Winter Encounter to Remember

Still out exploring, riding the post-bunting excitement from my last post (Ghosts of the Snow: The Return of the Snow Buntings), a pale shape in a snowy field made me slow down. At first, I thought I was imagining it — my eyes strained by the glare — but then it moved. Sitting out in the open was a nearly pure-white male Snowy Owl, sitting on the fresh blanket of snow.

I eased the car forward and let it act as my hide. With my Sony a1 Mark II and the 600mm f/4 with 1.4X in hand, I slowly raised the camera out the window. The owl didn’t seem bothered at all — he sat tall, calm, and beautifully relaxed, watching the landscape as if he owned it.

For the next 40 minutes, he barely shifted. Snow drifted around him, the light softened, and the afternoon slowly faded toward evening. To see Snow Buntings and a Snowy Owl on the same day — and during the first real snow of the season — felt like an incredible gift.

One interesting thing about Snowy Owls: they don’t migrate south because of the cold. They are well-suited for Arctic winters. Instead, they move south when their summer food source — mainly lemmings — becomes scarce. A drop in prey can send these big white owls wandering far beyond their usual range, sometimes thousands of kilometres.

As dusk settled in, I backed away and left him exactly where I found him. No guarantees he’ll stay — these birds follow their own rules, and the males often get chased off by the larger females — but fingers crossed he hangs around for the winter.

If you’d like the chance to experience moments like this, I still have a few spaces left in my Winter Owl Workshops this January and February. No guarantees, of course, but with the way this season has begun, it could be a truly special year.

“I recently participated in my second trip with Christopher Dodds to find and photograph the beautiful snowy owls. It was an amazing experience. Not only was Christopher able to find these owls due to his extensive experience and knowledge of the owl’s behavior but I expanded my skills in capturing stunning birds in flight photography. Not only did we see and photograph snowy owls but also short-eared owls, harriers, a screech owl and some absolutely stunning early morning photos of a barred owl hunting along the snow-covered ground. Christophers’ knowledge of how to photograph these magnificent birds honed over decades of wildlife photography was well worth the cost for my second trip. Chris was able to assist me in the optimal settings for my Canon gear. Very worthwhile!”

— Wayne Ferch | Oregon |USA

Snowy Owl in Flight at Sunset: Light & Shadow

Last January, we were graced by the presence of a truly special Snowy Owl. For days, it became a familiar silhouette in the fields, a silent sentinel amidst the fresh snow. There were afternoons of quiet observation, of simply being in its presence, feeling the magic of the wild. Then, just when we least expected it, a shift. With a graceful turn, this majestic creature would relocate, perhaps to a nearby telephone pole, offering a new perspective, a fresh opportunity.

And for those with the patience to truly immerse themselves in the moment, the rewards were extraordinary. I vividly recall one particular afternoon. After hours of serene stillness, the owl took to the sky. It wasn't just the bird we captured, but its dramatic shadow stretched long and dark against the brilliant snow – a poignant reminder of how light and shadow intertwine to create true photographic art. These are the moments that stir the soul, the ones you carry with you long after the last snowflake has melted.

While the memory of that particular owl remains bittersweet, having tragically succumbed to avian flu, its spirit lives on in the quiet beauty of our winter landscapes. And it's this very spirit of discovery, of patience, and of profound connection with nature that I invite you to experience.

This winter, come and join me. Let's chase the whispers of the wind, seek out the silent hunters of the snow, and together, capture the ethereal beauty of owls in their natural wonderland. It's more than just a workshop; it's an invitation to fall in love with winter's hidden treasures.

Ready to capture your unforgettable moments? Discover more about the Winter Owls Galore Workshops and reserve your spot today.

Snowy Owl Light & Shadow (Bubo scandiacus, Harfang des neiges, Búho nival, SNOW) from my Snowy Owl Workshop in Ontario, Canada. Sony a1 Camera body, Sony 600mm f/4 GM OSS Lens. F/4 ISO 1,000 1/5,000s.