Huge Flock of Bird Enthusiasts Descends on Chicago's Montrose Beach to Spot Snowy Owls.
Hundreds of nature enthusiasts flocked to Montrose Point Bird Sanctuary in the city's Uptown neighborhood, packing into a small concrete pier near Lake Michigan, hoping to catch a glimpse of two Arctic birds that are rare visitors to Chicago: snowy owls.
The pair had arrived early in the week, setting off a frenzy among local birdwatchers who gathered at the pier since the previous afternoon. The park district has taken precautions to ensure public safety by limiting access and asking onlookers to maintain a distance of 300 feet from the birds.
Photographer Chris Garbacz, who snapped the majestic owls atop wooden planks in Hudson Bay three years ago, was thrilled to be back at the sanctuary capturing images of the snowy white and black feathers. "Everyone wants the close-up obviously, but here you want to utilize the city skyline, which is a unique space for [the snowy owls] to be in," she said.
Chris's decade-long passion for wildlife photography has taken her to remote locations such as Brazil and the Falkland Islands off South America's coast, where she aims to photograph penguins next month. "This visit to Chicago makes a perfect opportunity because everyone wants that close-up shot of snowy owls."
While some bird enthusiasts have been keeping an eye out for sightings at 31st Street Beach, Mike Cahill had never managed to catch a glimpse of the rare visitors before and was thrilled by the recent news of their arrival. The Albany Park local has been visiting Montrose Point Bird Sanctuary for over two decades, mostly during spring, summer, or fall migration periods.
"This is the perfect spot for watching migratory birds," he said. "We'll keep coming back as long as they are here."
As it turned out, spotting snowy owls in Chicago was no rare experience after all.
Hundreds of nature enthusiasts flocked to Montrose Point Bird Sanctuary in the city's Uptown neighborhood, packing into a small concrete pier near Lake Michigan, hoping to catch a glimpse of two Arctic birds that are rare visitors to Chicago: snowy owls.
The pair had arrived early in the week, setting off a frenzy among local birdwatchers who gathered at the pier since the previous afternoon. The park district has taken precautions to ensure public safety by limiting access and asking onlookers to maintain a distance of 300 feet from the birds.
Photographer Chris Garbacz, who snapped the majestic owls atop wooden planks in Hudson Bay three years ago, was thrilled to be back at the sanctuary capturing images of the snowy white and black feathers. "Everyone wants the close-up obviously, but here you want to utilize the city skyline, which is a unique space for [the snowy owls] to be in," she said.
Chris's decade-long passion for wildlife photography has taken her to remote locations such as Brazil and the Falkland Islands off South America's coast, where she aims to photograph penguins next month. "This visit to Chicago makes a perfect opportunity because everyone wants that close-up shot of snowy owls."
While some bird enthusiasts have been keeping an eye out for sightings at 31st Street Beach, Mike Cahill had never managed to catch a glimpse of the rare visitors before and was thrilled by the recent news of their arrival. The Albany Park local has been visiting Montrose Point Bird Sanctuary for over two decades, mostly during spring, summer, or fall migration periods.
"This is the perfect spot for watching migratory birds," he said. "We'll keep coming back as long as they are here."
As it turned out, spotting snowy owls in Chicago was no rare experience after all.
... it's like we've lost our minds, right? I get it, they're rare and beautiful creatures and all that jazz 
, but 300 feet from the birds? Really? It's not like they're going to fly away if you get too close. And what's with all the hype around getting a "close-up" shot of them when you could just take a sick pic of the city skyline behind them? I mean, it's Chicago, for crying out loud! 
You've got Willis Tower, Navy Pier... the views are already iconic!
! I mean, who wouldn't want to see a majestic owl perched on wooden planks with the city skyline behind it? It's like something out of a movie 
. And I love that Chris Garbacz is capturing all these amazing pics – she must be so talented 
! The fact that people are traveling from all over to spot them just shows how awesome this experience must be for bird enthusiasts 
.
. I'm surprised it wasn't more crowded, though! Maybe next time there are more snowy owls? 
like seriously these birds come to the city and everyone loses their minds!!! i would've totally freaked out if i was there lol, but also kinda jealous that someone got to take those dope pics of them on the pier 
. and omg 300 feet distance from the birds? that's literally the best part, you get to see these majestic creatures from a safe distance but still get that cool birdwatcher vibe 
I mean, can you imagine seeing those adorable snowy owls up close? 
I mean, can you blame them? It's like a once-in-a-lifetime thing for bird enthusiasts to see these majestic creatures in person. And Chris Garbacz's photography skills are straight fire 
- those snaps of the owls atop the wooden planks in Hudson Bay three years ago were insane! 
I've been living in Chicago for years and never thought I'd see these majestic birds up close, but it's awesome that our city can attract them like that. The idea of using the city skyline as a backdrop for photos is genius too - it makes you appreciate how unique Montrose Point Bird Sanctuary is. As someone who loves nature photography, I'm a bit jealous Chris Garbacz got to snap pics here again! 
Still, I guess it's better than nothing. It's just crazy to think that someone like Chris Garbacz gets to travel all around the world for her job, and she comes back to Chicago to snap pics of snowy owls again 
. And Mike Cahill has been comin' to this spot for years? That's dedication right there 
!
I wish I could see those adorable owls in person! 
But you know what's even better? When we get to learn about them in science class and study their habitats 
We can use our binoculars and spotting scopes to observe them just like the bird enthusiasts at Montrose Beach did 
But I guess it's great that they're so common in Chicago now? lol I'd love to go on a field trip to Montrose Point Bird Sanctuary and see if we can spot any other rare birds 
It's not just bird enthusiasts, though - people from all walks of life are flocking to the beach (no pun intended) to catch a glimpse. And I'm not surprised, really - Chicago is such a great location for wildlife spotting, with its mix of urban and natural spaces.
but seriously tho these ppl spend so much time and money on this kinda thing its wild. i guess its cool that chicagoans get to see them tho 
i mean chris garbacz has traveled 2 remote locations like brazil & the Falklands 2 get dat shot