The owl irruption is still in full swing on the North Shore. Especially the great gray and boreal owls. We have seen well over two dozen great grays this winter along with half a dozen boreal owls. 

The great gray is North America’s largest owl and I am always fascinated watching them hunt. Normally they are an elusive bird and not easy to find since they mainly feed at night. To have so many around is a birders delight. 

Great grays along with other birds have a nictitating membrane or transparent third eyelid. It moves horizontally across the eye as you can see in this photo. I was taking multiple shots and just happened to catch it half way across the eye. The membrane helps to keep the eye moist and clean while also guarding it from hazards.