Snowy owls still around; photog has “photo shoot” in IBSP

Snowy owls, the majestic birds of prey that arrived from the Arctic tundra in droves during late fall, are still enjoying the Jersey Shore. 

Local photographer Joe Gliozzo ventured to Island Beach State Park last Sunday with the hope of seeing and photographing our avian visitors. 

Being so late in the season, he got lucky.

“Within minutes I spotted what I believe might be a male,” Gliozzo says. “After taking a couple shots, it flew away, and as I stood up to grab the in-flight shots, a huge shadow flew over me. I looked up and saw another of these beautiful birds. This time I believe it was either a female or juvenile because of the heavy barring. I was able to get some great in-flight shots.”

But now that it’s spring, our visitors will soon be packing up and heading home to the Arctic tundra. 

If you’re still on the search, local nature photographer Mary Dunham of Shore Shot Images says to “be prepared to walk for miles on the beach to find one.”