Nature is amazing! A beautiful orange snowy owl

X ^ | 5/8/26

[aquila48]

An unusually orange snowy owl spotted in Michigan has left scientists puzzled over its rare coloring.

Wildlife photographer Julie Maggert captured the bird, nicknamed “Rusty” by locals. While snowy owls are normally known for their white feathers, experts believe the owl’s unusual reddish-orange color may have been caused by dye, de-icing fluid, or a rare genetic mutation.

[alexander_busek]

One cold clear winter night, it was my turn to pull guard duty [...] The best guess we could make was that there was something about that shiny helmet liner that triggered the owl's attack.

Maybe it was your challenge:

Hoo goes there?"

Regards,

[redinIllinois]

.

[Adder]

[sheana]

We have Screech Owls. One night I was sitting on our side patio and all of a sudden something was screaming as it flew right over my head. Scared the crap out of me. lol

[mewzilla]

Orange doesnt do the color justice. Looks more salmon to me.

Purdy bird...

[maddog55]

That’s awesome!!

[goodnesswins]

I was on a city neighborhood street (all houses lined up) walking my lab/aussie at just dark when a large owl came cruising by us at about one foot above my left shoulder. I could hear it swooshing as it flew by. Guess it decided a 54 lb dog was a little big to pick up for dinner.

[CommerceComet]

When I was a teenager, my father, brother, and I went on a late-season elk hunt. It was a really dark night and very cold as we were setting up camp. The old white gas tent heater we had would make a nice fire when the wick was lite and the flame would die down to embers when the heater was ready to take inside. Because it was so cold, my brother and I were taking advantage of the ring of warmth given by the open flame and staring into the flame. As we were standing in silence, there was this sudden loud whoosh sound, a sense of something moving past us quickly and close, and then the piercing death cry of a rabbit in the darkness. After a huge adrenaline hit, a few moments later, we realized what happened. What a shocking moment - nothing visual, entirely an auditory experience.

[bobbo666]

Used to have GHOwls living in the oaks above my house. Great to view but annoying since they kept dropping dead pidgeons (headless) on the roof. In the middle of the night.

Not a problem of late since the crows moved in some years ago and killed all the owls.

[faucetman]

Idiots! It’s a “TRUMP” owl.

[JimRed]

AHHH! It’s a TRUMP OWL! SHOOT IT! < /sarc >

[ek_hornbeck]

Barred owls have a big vocabulary of calls. In addition to the famous “who cooks for you” call, they make a sound that reminds me of an Australian kookabura (the sound that’s mistakenly used as “monkey calls” in lots of movies), plus all sorts of shrieks.

[Yardstick]

I’m getting an imitation crabmeat vibe.