Category Archives: Background

Children’s Picture Bird Books: Smokey!

Background, Year 10

“Smokey Finds a Rainbow” is getting closer! A March release date expected. I just approved the “proof copy” and the full production print run will start soon. In the meantime anyone may download a free full copy PDF version of my books. Smokey will also be available for free download in March. As always my goal is to break even on my books (not make money); thus pricing will be nominal.

Smokey Finds a Rainbow (front cover image): Smokey is a juvenile Great Gray Owl who flies around the northern forest. The owl wants to see its first rainbow. There are guest appearances by Magnus the Moose and Bert the Dancing Bear!

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Where are the Snowy Owls?

Background, Year 10

Project Snowstorm just published an article today which indicates this winter is the worst winter ever for Snowy Owl eBird sightings for which there is good data (since 2004). Sightings across North America are essentially a flat line (see below). Thus, I should be very happy to have seen two different Snowy Owls, multiple times. The article is definitely worth a read. Apparently not only are sightings way down this winter, but breeding success (or even attempts) in the Arctic was almost non existent last summer.With that note, I head off to Hawaii for 2+ weeks … our first ever visit to the island state. Molly and I have a small remote guest house up in the hills / forest on the big island of Hawaii.

This graphic was created by Project Snowstorm.

Meet Smokey, the Great Gray Owlet!

Background, Year 10,

Smokey, the Great Gray Owl chick is looking for a rainbow, and the first draft of his children’s picture book story is now completed (written and photographed). I took these images many moons ago on a damp, foggy summer day in Sax-Zim Bog. It was one of my most special times birding. Only one other time in my life have I ever found two Great Gray Owlets. Thankfully I kept the original image files from straight out of my camera, which allowed me to rework the photos for my upcoming new book. My skill at photo editing is now much more refined than when I first met Smokey (Smokey is the Great Gray Owlet on the right of the image)

In the second image, Smokey is begging for food … like most toddlers! The chick’s parent was sitting in a tree about 50 yards distant, and totally ignoring the screech.

A video of the two owlets (video link for email subscribers)

And my first bird photographs of 2023 … year 10 of this journey! I have seen this Snowy Owl a number of times including when these images were taken yesterday afternoon. This morning I searched for Snowy for 35 minutes before sunrise, hoping for a sunrise image. Not! My first images of 2023 were almost of Snow Buntings. I found a flock of over 200 birds, and waited and hoped they would fly towards me. Once again, not!