Yes, Snowy owls are back! These beautiful white birds who used to travel South from the Arctic only every few years are again being sighted south for about the fourth year in a row, and it appears that we will be seeing even more of them this year. Experts are not sure why the number increased this year and whether or not it's connected to climate change.  Snowy owls breed and hunt in the Arctic where their favorite food of lemmings, rabbit, fish, and rodents are usually plentiful.

     All we know is that people love them and want to take a peek at them, while photographers scramble to get good shots of them. I, for one, would love that opportunity. However, we must keep in mind that these actions can pose a threat to them. These special birds are easily stressed out and any harassment, regardless of the good intent or not, can weaken them by making them spend more energy they may have in the attempt to get away. Remember, they have traveled a long way from home. It can also cause their deaths if they are already weaken from starvation, or if causes them to miss out on their one potential meal.
As such, it's best that we just admire and adore them from a distant and wish them well. 

Learn more about this elusive owl: 

Snowy Owl Themed Gifts: