Nothing is more relaxing for me than traveling back roads in the Boreal Forest on the search for the Ghost of the Forest. Spotting of a Great Gray Owl brings on a Nature Rush as you watch it slowly turn its head and gives you that look that stops you dead in your tracks with its Big Yellow Eyes.

Great Grays are a favorite winter owl to search out and photograph by many as they are very human tolerant for the most part. Being the largest of our Winter Owls and can be upwards of 27 in. and is Manitoba’s Official Bird.

Well there I sat in the truck using it as a blind rather than to get out…watching her (by size) and her watching me.

There was a quote I heard years ago that went along the lines like….Nature is Like a Book…if You Don’t Explore you Read Only but One Page.

Tickets available on line or at the gate…dress warm and please turn off your cell phones.

Well it was time to dust off the camera…pack a lunch and give my wife a break for the day and go Owling…Great Gray’s to be specific.

We’ve been fortunate up until yesterday to have relatively warm temps here in Manitoba for this time of year. Upon arrival after a quick reality check and a stark reminder that gloves are required at -26c according to the weather app on my phone.

Do note the frost on this Great Grays face…meaning it’s a bit chilly. As well as the blood on the beak…meaning it’s recently had a meal.

Can’t say that I miss those tingling, burning feelings that the fingers get at those temps…but it’s all part of the experience when Winter Owling.