One-Eyed Snowy Owl

I spotted this snowy owl perched at the top of a power pole in rural Northeast Wisconsin. It seems to have only one working eye. These owls, along with their beautiful white plumage, have distinctively orange eyes. It also looks like it’s missing a beak, but it’s just hidden by the fine plumage around it’s beak.

I was on my way home in the afternoon when I passed by the owl a quarter mile from my home.  I pulled into my garage, grabbed my camera from the house and headed back; hoping it wouldn’t fly away before I got back to take photos. Thankfully, it was still there when I returned and was willing to sit while I snapped a few images.  Most of the time it seemed uninterested in me and rarely looked my way. It stayed in place long after I was done and back home.

I took this image at some distance but I really don’t have the kind of lenses that could capture a clear, sharp photo at this distance on a dreary winter day. When shooting, I was far enough away I didn’t notice the problem with its left eye.  I thought I noticed the left eye was not open as wide, but didn’t realize the real problem until I could view it enlarged on my computer screen. This isn’t a bad image for the screen, but it wouldn’t make a great large print.

You can view a full-screen version of this image by clicking on the photo.

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