In the Falling Snow

Some wildlife encounters leave a lasting impression, and this was certainly one of them. I had traveled north in hopes of seeing boreal owls during a rare irruption year, when these elusive northern owls venture farther south than usual. Over the course of my trip, I was fortunate to have three encounters with them. But it was the final evening that proved most memorable. I found one resting quietly near a well-traveled trail, and along with a small group of photographers, I waited patiently for hours in the cold. As snow gently began to fall, the owl finally became active, hunting and gliding silently through the trees. I captured this image just before it vanished back into the forest, a fleeting yet magical moment that made all the effort worthwhile.