The White Owl of the North
by Bryce W. Robinson
Snowy Owl- Bubo scandiaca. 9×12″ prismacolor on bristol.
Sometimes the internet, or electronics, take so much away from life. I wanted to write in depth about my experience of seeing my very first glimpse of a Snowy Owl last week. I powered out a long story about the experience. When I went to post the story, the page reset and I lost everything. For whatever reason the regular save as you go feature was not working. Oh the misfortune, but life goes on.
So now I have neither the time nor the energy to write about that day. I just wanted to share an illustration I did of the bird. It was too far for any photographs, so I decided to capture and celebrate the experience by illustrating the white owl. I have found that illustration is always an appropriate way to pay homage to new experiences. This way, all I need to do is look at this image, and memories will flood into my mind of the evening that I first saw the white owl of the north.
ornithologi.com 
The Owl is gorgeous Bryce and I can see how looking at it would flood your mind with memories of seeing it. Sounds, smells and images do that for me.
I hate when work is lost for no apparent reason, it has happened to me too!
So frustrating… I’m glad you like the image. I think that the process of creating the image also helped me think over the evening of when I first saw this owl.
Incredible portrait! I’m not as much of a wordsmith as you, but I was there and maybe I can help paint the picture: 30 or so dedicated birders gathered respectfully to witness the majesty that is the snowy owl, the gorgeous visitor from the Arctic. We got amazing views of the bird stretching, preening, and flying, as we reflected on what the owl must have experienced in it’s travels. It was a lifer for most of the people there, and everyone shared a beautiful moment as the sun set over the snow-covered horizon. Just perfect. Seeing the snowy’s local counterpart, the great-horned owl, on the drive home was the icing on the cake. Great stuff!
Couldn’t have said it better! Although in my write up I mentioned jesus and mormons…. Great stuff indeed Aron, glad we saw it together!
The old adage about one picture and thousands of words applies here. A beautiful memory.
Ah spot on Mike.
A gorgeous portrait, Bryce – and a wonderful way to relive the experience.
Owls, “Jesus and Mormons” – now that combination piques my interest…
Haha. I was being a character is all. I am making attempts to find my voice in my writing, so future posts will likely have related content.
This really captures the essence of the owl. I keep coming back to it. I’m sorry you lost the words, but the image does speak volumes! (As others have said, it’s happened to me as well.)
I think it has happened to most bloggers. A very frustrating part of the process. Glad you like the owl Ingrid!
I absolutely adore this piece. I can’t think of a better tribute to what was very much a soul satisfying experience. Great work Bryce!
Hey man how do I get in touch with you? Let’s def bird AZ if you’re coming this way. I’m here through the end of April.
Email me at ofbirdsandb@gmail.com. I’ll tell you my plans and when I will be there. I am hoping to catch a good week of ZTHA and GRHA migration along some river that my friend Jerry told me about from the 14-20 abouts. Not sure where it is, but somewhere south. Email me and let me know where you are at. Great place to be this time of year!