We were driving out of Red Rock Lakes National Wildlife Refuge on our way home when we spotted this Short-eared Owl perched on a large double post at the top of a long, grinding hill. I was pulling the camping trailer so we made a lot of racket and raised a huge cloud of dust on the gravel road so I figured there was no chance this bird would let that big noisy rig close enough for decent shots. But it did – though just barely.
1/1000, f/7.1, ISO 640, 500 f/4, 1.4 tc
Here it was trying to decide if we were enough of a potential threat to fly off but soon it relaxed and seemed to accept our presence.
1/1000, f/7.1, ISO 640, 500 f/4, 1.4 tc
Almost immediately the owl began to scour the slope to the right for potential prey.
1/1000, f/7.1, ISO 640, 500 f/4, 1.4 tc
When it spotted something it took off…
1/1000, f/7.1, ISO 640, 500 f/4, 1.4 tc
gained speed as it descended down the relatively steep slope…
1/1000, f/7.1, ISO 640, 500 f/4, 1.4 tc
and this is the last decent shot I got as it got close to the grasses and I lost focus on the bird.
1/1000, f/7.1, ISO 640, 500 f/4, 1.4 tc
But the owl obviously liked that post as a hunting platform and almost immediately returned to it (though these last shots are from an earlier sequence). It very quickly spotted what was probably another vole in the grasses
1/1000, f/7.1, ISO 640, 500 f/4, 1.4 tc
and went after it.
1/1000, f/7.1, ISO 640, 500 f/4, 1.4 tc
I was able to get a couple more acceptable shots as it descended the hill…
1/1250, f/7.1, ISO 640, 500 f/4, 1.4 tc
and lost focus again as it got close to the grasses.
I wish I’d been better prepared for this opportunity. By the time we’d seen this owl we were almost to the interstate after 30 miles of rough dirt roads while pulling the trailer and I was concentrating more on driving than on any last-minute photographic subjects we might happen across so my camera settings weren’t the best for this situation. I needed a little more shutter speed but just didn’t think to make any adjustments with all that was going on. Hopefully I learned something that day.
But I do remember thanking the owl out loud for giving us one last look at the primary species that we had come to the refuge in search of. A nice parting gift from the bird just before we hit the pavement for the seven hour drive home.
Ron
No other word but “wow” comes to mind.
Your camera settings are always of interest, especially when you post a sequence with multiple images. It’s enlightening to follow your “math” while scrolling between pics and guessing what you were trying for or reacting to. 1/1000 sec. seemed slower than you normally use for a take off/flight shot, but your explanation at the end put it in perspective. (no pun intended) Cool shots. SEOs have such unique dimensions and shape, both perched and in flight. Awesome legs and feet.
Thanks Mike. To be perfectly honest, most folks would probably say that I use shutter speeds that are too high for static images but I’m always looking for that sudden, quick and unexpected move or quick take-off so my shutter speeds are often inordinately high before it happens (if it does). In my opinion too many folks (especially from film days) are stuck in the lower ISO’s when they don’t have to be with these modern DSLR’s that can handle higher ISO’s. My other “excuse” is that, given the choice in flight or take-off shots, my personal preference is to have the shutter speed to get even the wing tips crisp and sharp if possible. Motion blur is ok but…
Gorgeous shots, beautiful bird.
Thanks Bob. I’m afraid the raptors will be slowing down a lot now but I’m sure looking forward to the spring birds.
What else can I say, Ron. I am soooo envious of the photo opportunities that you have there. Sure, I have a lot of small birds that I can photograph at will, but to see such great raptors as you have, it is phenomenal. Your images are outstanding, whether you think you got the right settings or not. 🙂
Thank you. So much.