Spotted: Snowy Owl Perching in Galesville Harbor Yacht Yard

When Galesville resident Karen Czarnowski woke recently and went out for her usual morning stroll, she wasn't expecting to make a rare bird sighting, but that just what she did. 

As she was walking along, a neighbor in a car stopped and told her to be sure to head down to the Galesville Harbor Yacht Yard and check out the snowy owl perched on another neighbor's boat.

Sure enough, there it was. 

"It was sitting on the cover of the boom of the sailboat," Czarnowski said.

Czarnowski observed the bird for a time, but did not have her camera. She went home, got ready for work, and drove back to the yacht yard with the camera. 

The bird was still there, so she snapped these pictures on Dec. 5. 

According yacht yard staff, the bird stayed on the boom mast for quite a while before flying over to Pirate's Cove restaurant and perching on a piling there. Then, the bird few back to the yacht yard and perched on a motor boat that was parked in the lot for a few hours. 

In all, the bird stayed in the area for about eight hours. 

This was Czarnowski's first time seeing a snowy owl. Though she does not consider herself a bird watcher, she is a nature lover and was pleased with the sighting. 

There have already been four confirmed snowy owl sightings in South County in the past few weeks. Though sightings of the owl are usually rare in this area, birdwatchers are expecting an irruption this year, meaning sightings should be more common. 

Want to see a snow owl for yourself? Here's where to look. 

SHARE: Have a local photo of a snowy owl or other rare bird? Send your photos to jenni.pompi@patch.com for inclusion in an online gallery.