justhercamera Loc: NW Michigan

...it flew away. I decided I wanted to get a photo this year of a Snowy Owl. I had been seeing photos on FB of some in the Traverse City area right along a route I drive when I shop there. I had Christmas shopping to do yesterday so I packed my gear and planned to "owl hunt" on my way home. After shopping, I scanned the area on my way home and spotted one that was so close and large, I thought at first someone made a wooden cutout of one to display. However, it was real, and I got to the side road where it was, prepped my camera, drove closer, aimed and before I could focus, he flew off and all I got badly focused, badly composed photos. However, he did not go too far, landed in the field, and I got my chance to photo him before he flew off again and out of sight. I would love to get some good photos of one flying yet, but I got what I initially hoped to get. Actually, just seeing one was a treat!

Bad photo of him flying away

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Uncropped Photo

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Heavy Crop - but beautiful bird

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nicksr1125 Loc: Mesa, AZ

Beautiful bird. BIF is an extremely difficult subject. The only comment I'll make on the cropped version is you should have moved him a little further away from the right hand edge of the frame. Doubt I'll ever see a snowy owl here in the Phoenix area.

Blair Shaw Jr Loc: Dunnellon,Florida

I'd say you did fairly well for a first attempt. Wildlife is generally quite skidish around humans and for all the usual reasons. Some time they get accustomed to your presence over a great amount of exposure to you where they no longer view you as a potential threat to them. Birds of prey have at least 8 times the focal length that humans possess and so it's kind of hard to get close to them in the first place.
Most of us employ Blinds to shoot from as this seems to be accepted by the wildlife and allows us to stay out there for long periods of time , waiting for the chance to get the photo. I usually take a sleeping bag and food & hot coffee in a thermos cause it's brutal in snow country and the day is long in that wind.
Good luck and keep trying.....BTW....large open fields with cover grass is a favored hunting ground for these birds and .. IF there is a Lone Tall Tree or Pole in the field or along it's perimeters ..... That is where many of them sit to watch for mice and rabbits. You would place your Blind near there and choose your background for the shots accordingly and in keeping with the sunlight positions.

justhercamera Loc: NW Michigan

Thank you for that. When I chose that crop, I was "centering" the bird and the shadow, but I will take a look at a crop as you suggested.

justhercamera Loc: NW Michigan

Thank you. I admit, I would not invest the time into hunting it that long, I am not patient enough. LOL.. a good reason why you don't see me doing many bird photos. My lighthouse, on the other hand, stays put and so it is easy to find, and there are good bathrooms nearby too. :) However, my interests and desire for challenges change over time so you never know. I appreciate hearing/learning more of what it takes to get the quality photos I see from others.

jaymatt Loc: Alexandria, Indiana

W9OD Loc: Wisconsin

Very nice! My wife and I do some “hunting” too. So far this year has come up empty. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all.

Blair Shaw Jr Loc: Dunnellon,Florida

Oh yes....I forgot about the toilet paper and the wilderness experience....see the animal....be the animal ...hahahaa

Photolady2014 Loc: Southwest Colorado

Love the last one!!!!!

Swamp-Cork Loc: Lanexa, Virginia

Congrats, Nick and and a beautiful download, especially on the third image.

UTMike Loc: South Jordan, UT

Beautiful set, Sue! Merry Christmas.

kpmac Loc: Ragley, La

They are nice images despite the difficulties. I agree, move the bird a little more to center in the cropped image.

justhercamera Loc: NW Michigan

Here is a change in that crop, thoughts??

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photophile Loc: Lakewood, Ohio, USA

Lovely third photo!

tcthome Loc: NJ

Great captures.