Snowy Owl Irruption at Thanksgiving!

Every one in a while, birds begin showing up in large numbers in places that they are not normally expected.  This is called an irruption event.  Just after Thanksgiving this year we began to hear about Snowy Owls, normally a far north specialty showing up here at the 45th Parallel!  Weather, climate change, winds?  I don't know, but it was fun.  



This was probably a juvenile based on its dark coloration.  It is one of the largest of our owls, and was fairly easy to spot from nearly a mile away on the Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge just north of Vancouver, Washington.




But first, Thanksgiving.  We celebrated with a big family dinner at the Lodge.  That is just a great place to gather the whole family together.



 Grandma, Hai (Lien) and Jayden.



Food Galore



And grandkids coming out our ears!

But let's pause for a mystery critter!  Anders got the last one.  Who will it be this time.  This critter was found by the grandkids just outside the Lodge in the rocks.  What is it?





It was a very late fall, just like the spring had been.  I hope this spring (see my last post), doesn't mean another year of no grapes.



And in closing, a few more pics of the remarkable Snowy Owl.  What a treat for us here in the banana belt!!!!