Traffic Camera Captures Incredible Footage of Snowy Owl

You need to watch this bird of prey in action.

Thomas Freeman

Jan 8, 2016

One of the most awe-inspiring wildlife photos we’ve seen in a while comes not from a far-flung corner of the globe but rather from a highway in suburban Canada.

Last week, a traffic camera on Montreal’s Highway 40 caught a snowy owl mid-flight. Though the footage lasts mere seconds, it manages to capture the majestic owl with its wings fully spread. The brief video has since gone viral, likely leaving photographers who spend years hunting down such shots green with envy.

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The bird of prey was likely moving in for the kill and needed a place to perch. Barbara Frei, the director of the McGill Bird Observatory, told CBC News, “I think they are attracted specifically to the highway because it has open, grassy fields nearby which is perfect for hunting their favorite prey, which is small rodents.”

Snowy owls aren’t typically spotted beyond the Arctic tundra, where they breed and spend most of their time hunting. However, with winter in full swing, they are migrating further south, blessing us with such breathtaking shots.

h/t CBC News

Mentioned in this article: Animal House Bird news Owl Viral

Traffic Camera Captures Incredible Footage of Snowy Owl

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