Portrait of a snowy owl against a background of pastel colours.
The snowy owl is a characteristic inhabitant of the arctic tundra. In terms of size, it can somewhat compete with the slightly larger eagle owl. The snowy owl is a wandering and migratory bird, which stays in places with sufficient food supply. In Scandinavia, food consists mainly of lemmings and other voles. They are known for their white plumage, which helps them camouflage themselves in the snowy environments they live in. Snowy owls also have striking yellow eyes. The snowy owl's body length is 55 to 70 cm and weight 1 to 2.5 kg. They can live to an average age of 20 years.
The insulation provided by the snowy owl's plumage is extraordinarily developed. To begin with, this bird is almost completely feathered. It has a short bill, of which only the tip protrudes. The eyes are protected by long, dense eyelashes. The legs are enveloped in a long feather 'pants' which extends to the claws. Under the tight-fitting layer of cover feathers, the animal wears warm 'underwear' made of fine down. Finally, the structure of the feathers also contributes to their insulating effect: the core of the feathers is hollow, allowing them to store warm air.
Conceived by Kees van den Burg, visualized with AI.
In Hoogmade Kees van den Burg has been taking pictures and making videos for decades. Processing these materials into excellent end products is also part of his job. Adobe Photoshop, Première and After Effects are all well known... Read more…