Transport Quebec’s automated cameras are there to detect speeders, accidents, and other traffic problems. But this one, on Highway 40 in Montreal, captured the image of a snowy owl in mid-flight on January 3. It was probably coming in for a landing on the pole.
According to Barbara Frei, the director of the McGill Bird Observatory, this young female was probably looking for a place to perch.
"I think they are attracted specifically to the highway because it has open, grassy fields nearby which is perfect for hunting their favourite prey, which is small rodents," she said.
"They like to get a good lay of the land and the high lamp posts or other posts that they can perch on while hunting just suits them perfectly."
You can see video footage of the event at CBC news. -via Arbroath