Snowy Owl.  (Photo by Julie Harring).  This Snowy Owl was photographed in Rochester, Mn. today.  There have been several sightings already this fall in S.E. Minnesota.  This one appears to be either a female or an immature male, as it has a fair amount of grey/brown barring.   We had seen very few Snowy Owls before 2014, but have seen 9 Snowy Owls since then.  Some are predicting that this could be a big year for them to come south off the Tundra.