[Tweeters] White owl!!!!

[Odette James via Tweeters]

I have just had the most surprising birding experience I have had in years! I am at the Lakeshore retirement community, 11448 Rainier Ave S., Seattle As I was heading for bed shortly before midnight, I looked out the window and saw what appeared to be a SNOWY OWL on the railing of the balcony outside our dining room. I was able to get some not-very-good cell phone snaps of it I can send to anyone who is interested. The bird has dead white plumage, orange feet and legs, a black iris circled by yellow, but appears to have an pale orange bill, not black. Also it is much smaller than a Snowy Owl is supposed to be, only a bit over 12 inches long. Perhaps it is an albino or an escaped some other kind of owl? It is puffed up, just standing on the railing and I was able to get within 8 feet of it and it paid no attention to me. It probably is ill.  I called PAWS and left a message but by tomorrow the bird will either be gone or lying dead on the ground below the balcony. No way I will try to capture it. 
That's what I love about birding. There are always surprises, some of them pretty incredible.
Odette James
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