What began as a startling encounter near Moriches Inlet grew into what Robin Penny-Leuthhardt now calls her “ultimate owl experience,” a rare, two-part wildlife moment that unfolded across Long Island’s South Shore and deepened her gratitude for the natural world.
The Center Moriches resident wasn’t out for a casual stroll. She was pursuing her passion of photographing wildlife when the first moment stopped her in her tracks. “I was watching an owl near Moriches Inlet when I saw a red tail hawk fly up and tap it on the head,” she said. “I couldn’t believe what I was seeing. It was quick, dramatic, and completely wild.”
That brief interaction stayed with her, setting the stage for an even more powerful experience a few days later. While photographing birds near the New Inlet in the Fire Island National Seashore Wilderness Area, Robin found herself face-to-face with another snowy owl. “It sat about 10 feet away for a few minutes and didn’t seem concerned that l was there,” she explained. “Then suddenly, it jumped up and flew right at me. I was shooting the whole time and fell over backwards after it tapped me on the head. It was the ultimate owl experience, absolutely breathtaking.”
She described the moment as almost surreal. “It felt like time slowed down,” Robin said. “The owl came straight toward me, wings wide, totally unfazed. I felt incredibly lucky to witness something so raw and natural.”
For Robin, the experience reinforced why she treasures living on Long Island’s South Shore. “People don’t always realize how much incredible wildlife we have right here,” she said. “Owls, hawks, ospreys — they’re part of our everyday landscape.”
The Fire Island setting made it even more meaningful. “The dunes, the open sky, the quiet — it all reminded me how important these protected areas are,” she said. “These animals depend on them.”
She left the experience feeling grounded and grateful. “This is why I do what I do,” Robin said. “Nature always has something amazing to show you, especially if you’re patient enough to look.”