Winter in Northern Michigan, depressing or magical?

Once November hits Northern Michigan it’s like someone stole the sun. The clouds roll in and sit on top of your head. The days grow shorter and for many people they head to work in the dark and drive home in the dark missing any hope of a sunshine sighting.

Many who live in Michigan leave for the winter and those who can’t work hard at finding ways to combat seasonal affect disorder by snowmobiling or skiing/snowboarding. We used to have a small team of sled dogs that we would race in the winter.

One of the things Bill and I found that brings us some joy during the long winter is to grab our cameras and go for a ride. It’s fun to find any wildlife to photograph but the most exciting find is our Arctic visitors the Snowy Owls.

There are a few places in Michigan where the Snowy Owls tend to migrate to for the winter. Bill and I have watched for them for many years but the past five or six years have been amazing. They call it “irruption” years, meaning there are more owls than usual. A recent article I read said that climate change is causing the Arctic to be less harsh and the Snowy Owls are having more successful breeding seasons with better than average food to eat. There is such a large population of Snowy’s that they are migrating earlier and further South to find territory.

Whatever the reason, it is magical!

The Snowy’s are often found on top of utility poles. A safe place to rest, and a great view for hunting. An owl on top of a utility pole is not exactly the most artistic image though. If I had a nickle for every photo we have of a beautiful Snowy Owl on top of a utility pole we could retire yesterday!

If you are patient though you can see them on fence posts, on the ground, or if you are lucky flying.

We sometimes get so caught up spotting owls and getting the one great photo that we forget to pull back and notice some of the locals who are watching us…

If you are patient, put in your time, and respect the owls sometimes you are rewarded with something special. Last year we photographed a Snowy Owl bring up an owl pellet. (look it up)

This year we were fortunate to have the sky open up in time for the sunset just as an owl came down off his utility pole, landed on the ground, then flew up directly toward us! The sun was setting behind us and lighting up the owl in the most beautiful warm glow. Magic! Makes you forget that a Northern Michigan winter can be depressing!