Snowy Owls: Many of you probably know there is kind of an invasion of Snowy Owls into the U.S. this winter. They normally live in the far north tundra. I was able to find a local...

MtnMan Loc: ID

Many of you probably know there is kind of an invasion of Snowy Owls into the U.S. this winter. They normally live in the far north tundra.

I was able to find a local representative but unable to get good pics of it. He was kinda camera shy and wouldn't allow us closer than about 300 yards. That was just too much for my 300mm lens hand held and tracking his movements.

I'll post a couple of my disasters in case anyone can do better with them but would also be interested in seeing any better ones from others. This guy is presently residing at an address just ouside Nampa, ID. He has been there at least a month.

Example Original

Glenn K

How about getting yourself a portable blind and buy some mice and then liberate them in the vicinity?

J. R. WEEMS Loc: Winchester, Virginia

Alaska is having the coldest Winter in some time. At least you got something, which is more than I have. :) :thumbup:

PHFoto Loc: Idaho

Suppose to be some of them over by Long Beach, Washington also.

MtnMan Loc: ID

What, when I have my wife thinking I need a 500mm lens?

Actually I guess you'd need to do something like that. There must be plenty of mice etc. in that field to keep him interested.

Glenn K wrote:

How about getting yourself a portable blind and buy some mice and then liberate them in the vicinity?

olderguy Loc: South Dakota

MtnMan wrote:

Many of you probably know there is kind of an inva... (show quote)

I found them to a bit shy too. I worked a couple of days - used a 300mm with a 1.4 teleconverter. I had to use a high ISO to hand hold the shot, but I did get a couple of shots. I certainly did not get too close. I think "snows" are the only owls that hunt durning the day.

MtnMan Loc: ID

Marvelous! Great work.

Yes, I can see that working at it will yield better results.

He was clearly on to us as soon as we started in his direction from well over 1/4 mile away. He let us come about 1/2 way each time and then leisurely flew about 1/4 mile away again.

olderguy wrote:

I found them to a bit shy too. I worked a couple of days - used a 300mm with a 1.4 teleconverter. I had to use a high ISO to hand hold the shot, but I did get a couple of shots. I certainly did not get too close. I think "snows" are the only owls that hunt durning the day.

PHFoto Loc: Idaho

Nice work,

olderguy wrote:

quote=MtnMan Many of you probably know there is k... (show quote)

:thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup:

olderguy Loc: South Dakota

MtnMan wrote:

Marvelous! Great work. br br Yes, I can see that ... (show quote)

I crawled on the ice behind another muskrat den, got within about 100+ yds and only got a few quick shots. He flew off, lower then his perch - so I did not get a decent flying shot. I was surprised because I read an article that stated the snowy owl was not very wary. This was certainly not true in my case. --- My shot is cropped.

Nikon13 Loc: North Carolina

Have you thought about renting one of those high dollar paparazzi type lenses just for this shoot?

MtnMan Loc: ID

Thanks for the suggestion. I hadn't thought about it. It was a good idea to check out.

The one's I found that I'd want (400mm +, prime preferred) are about $300 for four days. It would be my luck to rent one and go out there to find that Mr. Owl had decided it was time to head north again.

I'd rather put that amount of money towards a used one to keep.

Nikon13 wrote:

Have you thought about renting one of those high dollar paparazzi type lenses just for this shoot?

Nikon13 Loc: North Carolina

MtnMan wrote:

Thanks for the suggestion. I hadn't thought about it. It was a good idea to check out.

The one's I found that I'd want (400mm +, prime preferred) are about $300 for four days. It would be my luck to rent one and go out there to find that Mr. Owl had decided it was time to head north again.

I'd rather put that amount of money towards a used one to keep.

Nikon13 wrote:

Have you thought about renting one of those high dollar paparazzi type lenses just for this shoot?

Yep, that's to much to take a chance on it

Lloyd L Loc: Blackwell OK

olderguy wrote:

quote=MtnMan Marvelous! Great work. br br Yes, I... (show quote)

I found that the Snowy Owls in Oklahoma are very wary. At first we might get within 100 yards but now in is 300 yards. They stay in the open and watch you all the time. The closest I could get was using the suv with the shooting through the moon roof and that only worked a few times but was wll worth the effort. thanks for sharing the photos and information.

Billybuzz Loc: Whiteford, MD

olderguy wrote:

quote=MtnMan Many of you probably know there is k... (show quote)

Beautiful picture and Beautiful Owl.

Lloyd L Loc: Blackwell OK

This is A Snowy that was near Marland OK 01/04/2012. He did stay until I got this shot (100-400) but I never got this close on several other tries. They are beautiful birds and we have enjoyed having them stay around. We saw the one near Blackwell OK this morning. If you have a chance to see one it is worth the effort. I have posted the Blackwell ones on my post. Some are not great but the Owl makes it worthwhile.