The day I photographed this Boreal Owl, I saw four other owl species. Those other species included the Great Gray Owl, the Northern Hawk Owl, the Northern Saw-whet Owl, and the Short-eared Owl. Five owl species in one day! January 2012 has been a great owl month for those of us living in Anchorage at this time (never mind the bitter cold). One has to wonder if the irruption of owls here in Anchorage, has anything in common with the irruption of Snowy Owls across the northern half of the United States.