I drove the secondary highways of eastern Alberta heading north. Scanning the fence posts and power poles. It was cold with minimal traffic. With a free day and nowhere to be until Monday afternoon, time and distance didn't really matter.

I was on a quest.

For several years, I have wanted to photograph a Snowy Owl. The thing is - I don't live anywhere near their winter habitat. Unpredictable winter weather and roads typically keeps me from searching for them.

But not this weekend. The clear and cold forecast meant I felt comfortable navigating north.

As I came closer to the same latitude as Edmonton I spotted something large and white on top of a fence post. Could it be?!?! I took my foot off the gas pedal and squealed like a little girl as I slowly passed her.

A Queen. THE Snow Queen perched atop a fence post throne scanning her kingdom.

owl snowy female bird white perched fencepost Alberta — The Snow Queen

After flipping around and pulling as far off the road as I could without fearing I wouldn't get back on it through the snow, I parked and took my photos. When she seemed undisturbed by my presence ( simply a lowly human) I moved forward and stopped directly across from her.

She was so beautiful. I noticed a smattering of red on her chest, leftovers from a recent meal and one black claw protruding through her cloak of feathers.

Not wanting to disturb her, I didn’t linger long in her presence. Just time enough to be completely smitten with a bird the same colour as winter.

The Snow Queen

When I Grow Up