These owls are part of what they call an irruption year population of snowy owls. Every five years or so the owls expand their winter feeding area due to a larger than normal summer survival rate which puts a stress on the food supply in their normal wintering feeding grounds. To get to where these owls are hanging out you need to walk about 1 1/2 miles on the beach at Damon Point at Ocean Shores, WA. It's a bit of a difficult walk due to the loose sand but well worth it. We saw a total of five owls, but others have sighted as many as 13. If you make the trip, I suggest you carry your camera and lens in a bag or pack as there is the possibility of blowing sand.