Gotta love them thar Owls
Mar 12, 2021 13:40:16 #
After finding a Great Horned Owls nest and taking a few shots I thought I would have opportunity after opportunity to return and try for some amazing shots. I got a few and them - bam gone like the wind - chick, parents and even the majority of the nest. So I wasn't expecting to find another, but when you see a few people with big lenses at a park there's usually a good chance they found something interesting. I got enough shots to keep me busy for a bit but will go back to try for better and better and hope for a nice in flight shot or something just as interesting. Great Horned Owl Couple and 3 owlets (or so I have been told I have only seen 2 of them... so far)
First shot of the fuzzy egg shaped chick... the smallest of the bunch
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Perking up a bit and much better view
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it got a bit overcast but it worked at diffusing the light so the nest was lit better.
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2 of the 3
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Playing it Coy
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when Mom lands in the nest and catches you off guard.
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not the best shot, but getting a little preening love from Mom!
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This is dad - keeping an eye on everything from a few branches away
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Mom, just before she woke from her nap
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Mom heading off for some early evening hunting
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Mar 12, 2021 13:54:10 #
Mar 12, 2021 15:53:52 #
Mar 12, 2021 17:50:25 #
Mar 13, 2021 06:22:57 #
Mar 13, 2021 07:02:44 #
Juy
Loc: Delaware
oconnortf wrote:
After finding a Great Horned Owls nest and taking ... (show quote)
Bet you were excited in the moment. O you'll never have enough or that one special shot. Hope you have some follow ups
Mar 13, 2021 08:43:50 #
Mar 13, 2021 09:08:25 #
Mar 13, 2021 09:49:37 #
StanMac
Loc: Tennessee
oconnortf wrote:
After finding a Great Horned Owls nest and taking ... (show quote)
N8ce captures!
I’ve only seen owls flying overhead - never at roost. I need to spend more time in the woods I guess.
Stan
Mar 13, 2021 10:26:21 #
Lovely series! I’ve got a mama GH owl on a nest nearby.....hoping for some chicks!
Mar 13, 2021 11:06:02 #
Mar 13, 2021 12:02:56 #
Depends on where you are of course - I have followed hooting owls and you get within a few trees and they clam up and are so well camouflaged its nearly impossible to fid them or you get close and they fly off. So... finding where they nest during breeding season is usually your best opportunities and often they come back to the same nest or area, year after year... Unless they get "spooked" by too much attention - so that's one reason many do not post their favorite spots or when they find something cool, because they can not control how many people show up. Honestly I had given up on this park for birding opportunities and was walking back to my car when I saw some folks with big lenses and tripods. But even walking up to them camera in hand some folks did not want to say exactly what they were photographing. I set up and took shots but I also helped people walking by with kids who wondered what the fuss was and let them look though my viewfinder or I would show them previews of images I took, because on their own they could not spot the owls until they new what to look for. If you connect with other local birders or photographers you may get heads up on good opportunities but most are fleeting. A cool Spoonbill in a specific pond may only hang around a short time so being ready to respond to some sighting will help too.
Mar 13, 2021 17:15:08 #
Mar 13, 2021 21:26:33 #
oconnortf wrote:
After finding a Great Horned Owls nest and taking ... (show quote)
Very interesting set, I like #5, among others!
Mar 14, 2021 18:56:22 #
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