We’ve had recent snow and today’s high is supposed to be below freezing. For me those conditions always bring thoughts to mind of Barn Owls, especially early on in the season. I typically go about 10 months of the year without seeing them flying in daylight but when snow and extremely cold temperatures arrive they’re often forced to hunt during daytime in order to obtain enough food to survive. When that happens I have decidedly mixed feelings – it’s always a delight to see them but it’s a tough time of year for them and many do not survive if conditions are unusually harsh.
1/1250, f/6.3, ISO 640, Canon 7D, Canon EF500mm f/4L IS USM, not baited, set up or called in
I photographed this owl last December as it hunted for rodents in the deep snow among the phragmites. Typically they hunt from the air by plunging into the snow after voles but this one was also ground-hunting. It would listen intently from its perch and when it heard something under the snow it would go after it. Several times it simply walked a few feet to a new spot and hunted from there. This technique saved energy when energy was at a premium.
On this heavily overcast day it was very difficult to get light in the eyes. There is some here but it’s quite muted and diffuse, typical of these conditions in low light with snow covering the ground. This bird was acclimated to all the hunter traffic on the road and virtually ignored my pickup (I never left my vehicle) as it went about its business. At times it even closed its eyes and slept but if it had been disturbed (or if its behavior had been altered) by my presence I’d have left the area.
1/2000, f/7.1, ISO 640, Canon 7D, Canon EF500mm f/4L IS USM, not baited, set up or called in
I saw it capture several rodents – both voles and mice. It consumed one of them on the spot but the bird flew off with this mouse (notice the long tail compared to the much shorter tail of a vole). The mouse is still alive.
1/1600, f/7.1, ISO 640, Canon 7D, Canon EF500mm f/4L IS USM, not baited, set up or called in
A few frames later I got a slightly better head angle but it’s still far from ideal.
I absolutely love photographing Barn Owls but if I had the power I’d choose to never see them hunting during daytime. It’s so very sad to see them shivering in the cold (they actually do shiver) and finding a frozen owl carcass in the snow is simply heartbreaking.
Ron
Hi!
I so love Owls and you really got beautiful photo’s of this one ! Thanks for showing it made my day!
Fantastic shots, Ron! Beautiful work.
Wonderful pics. The Barn Owl is one of my favorites and like you, I don’t like seeing them suffer at all. Some snow, Barn Owls in action=good birding day!
Barn owls are my absolute LOVE of the raptor world! You did a fine job of capturing “the hunt” during daylight hours. Many barn owls are not producing as many offspring any more due to diminishing hunting grounds.
I’ve heard the same thing, Kathryn. Their declining numbers in the American Midwest is especially alarming and collisions with vehicles is an ongoing and serious problem.
The first image didn’t load for me. I will come back later and hope.
Stunningly beautiful birds. And yes, I know exactly why you hate to see them in the day. A few years ago we were visited by some yellow-tailed black cockatoos. Amazing birds I very, very rarely see. I loved seeing them – and hated seeing them. They had only come into town because the drought had made conditions impossible in their natural environment.
I’m back and it did load. And I am so glad I returned. A monochromatic marvel. Thank you.
I can tell – you feel the same way about your cockatoos as I do about “my” owls, Elephant’s Child. I’m glad that first image loaded for you the second time you tried.
I love that last because of the colors of the owl and the landscape. Perfectly displays how camouflaged they are.
In certain settings these owls are wonderfully cryptic, Arwen
All are great, but first image is a classic…love interplay, echoing of colors and textures…
I always getting your artist’s perspective, Patty. Thank you.
Seeing this bird with the mouse made me smile – made me happy for the bird. It would clearly be better if they only had to hunt at night, but the selfish part of me is glad to see photos of a bird I would otherwise not encounter.
I have that same “selfish” component in me, Susan. It’s hard to keep it at bay but I do try…
Neat series. The mouse more than compensates for head angle and lack of light in the eyes. I don’t get that many chances with owls, but I find it difficult to get good lighting in the eyes even when it is not overcast – especially equal light in the two eyes.
Dave, And of all the owl species I’ve photographed I think getting light in the eyes of Barn Owls is the most difficult, because their eyes are so deeply set.
Wonderful shots Ron!
Charlotte
Thanks, Charlotte.
The reminders that you often leave of the survival struggles of these wild creatures gives me an edge of extra appreciation of their living beauty……….
It’s a tough life out there, Kris – particularly for these owls when it’s frigid and there’s lots of snow. Thank you.
That will teach me to read the whole post before I reply! VBG!
Don’t give it a second thought, Dick. I appreciate the comment.
Ron, your capture of the wing spread on the second photo is breath taking. Thanks.
I’m glad you enjoyed that wing spread, Diana. Thanks.
These are great shots Ron!
Love the fact that you actually got the shot with the mouse in the beak! What a great image.
Looks like you got a fair depth of snow. We are supposed to begin our snowstorm today. Don’t think we’ll get much.
Dick, yes we’ve had some recent snow but not this much yet. These images were taken last December. Thank you.
I just have to say how much I enjoy your daily posts. Such great photography and great background information. Thank you for your hard work but I know you enjoy it as much as I do.
Thank you, Becky. I appreciate the kind words.