Owls are known for their inscrutable look – their mysterious and enigmatic demeanor. This Great Horned Owl and I spent quite a while trying to figure each other out.
1/2000, f/7.1, ISO 400, Canon 7D, Canon EF500mm f/4L IS USM, not baited, set up or called in
I photographed this bird in June of 2010 on the family farm in Montana. Those early summer mornings are cold and the owls like to huddle in these east facing protected nooks of some of the 80-year-old granaries where they can escape the often cold wind and enjoy the heat absorbed and radiated by the dark wood. I believe this is the smaller male of the mated pair that has been resident on the farm for years.
I photographed this bird using a tripod which is somewhat unusual for me (usually I’m shooting from my pickup) so there we were, the two of us staring at each other and trying to figure each other out. He had no fear of me and he was as curious about me as I was about him. I remember watching him through my lens, wondering what he was thinking and I did so for quite a while.
1/2000, f/7.1, ISO 400, Canon 7D, Canon EF500mm f/4L IS USM, not baited, set up or called in
But this owl was sleepy and yawned more than once. At first I thought he might be about to cast a pellet but this turned out…
1/2000, f/7.1, ISO 400, Canon 7D, Canon EF500mm f/4L IS USM, not baited, set up or called in
to be a yawn…
1/2500, f/7.1, ISO 400, Canon 7D, Canon EF500mm f/4L IS USM, not baited, set up or called in
and he really got into it.
1/2000, f/7.1, ISO 400, Canon 7D, Canon EF500mm f/4L IS USM, not baited, set up or called in
After that he gave me that inscrutable look again for a minute or two and then promptly went to sleep. So I put my tripod and camera gear over my shoulder and went back into the farmhouse to warm up with a hot cup of coffee.
I’m not sure the owl even noticed…
Ron
Ron,
I thought I was going to see a pellet.
As much as I love the owl, I love the wood! It communicates as much as the beautiful feathers of the owl. Can you tell us about structure?
Just
I thought I would see a pellet too, at first.
This granary was built in the early 1930’s by my grandfather and uncle (my dad probably helped on it too but he’d have been pretty young, 10-12 years old). It’s still standing but no longer used and it leans quite a bit from the effects of the Montana wind. My family likes these old buildings and tries to keep them around as long as possible.
Great series Ron! Love!
Thanks, Nancy.
oh Ron, love, love, love!!!! Ok, now, truth time .. how many of your readers gave out with a big yawn, too, after gazing at your pics??????
Who knows, Lois. Those that did are probably asleep…
A huge yawn from here – made difficult because I was smiling so broadly.
Thanks Ron. I do love owls…
I know you do, EC and I figured you’d enjoy this series.
Not only did I enjoy it, I sent the link to a friend who is also an owl addict. She too was blown away.
Isn’t it wonderful the way they allow us into their lives for a moment! Your photographs are an exquisite encounter with “the Other.”
Thank you, Jane.
So that is what they think of us!great detail and texture in the feathers and wood.
Who knows what they “think” of us, Jane. Interesting to speculate though, isn’t it?
I like the contrast – soft feathers – old wood grain. NICE!
Thanks, Karen. I love owls and old wood too. I’m sure you’re aware that these shots were taken in your old neck of the woods…
Oh, he noticed you, you can be sure of that! You just did not represent a threat. And, if he has been there for awhile, he probably knows about you anyway.
Great shots, wonderful depiction of their tacit understanding of how important they think they are and how unimportant you are!! VBG!
“Oh, he noticed you, you can be sure of that!”
No question about that, Dick. I was being facetious. I often watch birds through my lens as they “sleep” (larger birds especially) and there’s no question that they’re aware of everything around them every instant. I don’t think their level of consciousness changes like mine does when I sleep. Just a couple of days ago I watched a “sleeping” juvenile Black-crowned Night Heron very carefully for quite a while. Occasionally the bird would open a single eye ever so slightly and check things out.
It was fascinating to see the harmony between his stomach feather patterns and the rough-sawn timbers against which he was leaning . Once he started that huge yawn , though,the illusion vanished fast !
Yep, the yawn draws your eye, doesn’t it, Kris?
He’s saying that he is so relaxed and not threatened by you! 😀 Great series.
Absolutely, he WAS relaxed, Arwen. It always gives me a neat feeling to be this close to a wild bird, a raptor especially, and have them be so accepting of my presence. Warm fuzzies and all that…
Wonderful! Yawning any bird is a first for me. I’ve enjoyed watching Great Horned Owls many times over a few decades too. Ron, you really get some unique images. Thanks again
Glad to introduce you to your first bird yawn, Gary. Thank you.
Ron, maybe the GHOW would like to see you yawn. Wonderful images. How neat to have them on your family farm. Remember I have “siblings” on my wall.
I do remember, Diana. This male and its mate are the parents of those youngsters on your wall. I’m delighted that you’re so happy with that print (another one coming your way soon…)
What wonderful shots Ron! Thanks for sharing!
Charlotte
Thank you, Charlotte.
That first one took my breath away! And then to see the rest of your story was icing on the cake. Thank you, Ron, for sharing your gifts and some magic moments with us in Cyberspace (SF Bay, actually)
I appreciate the kind words, Harmony. Thank you.
Great series Ron. Such a beautiful owl and yes, his yawning made me yawn too!
It is contagious, isn’t it, Debbie? Hope I don’t put any viewers to sleep…
Gorgeous bird. I envy you getting to see him and spend quality time with him.
I miss seeing them, Susan. I didn’t get up to see them last summer.
Inscrutable! Perfect description. And fabulous images, Ron. Who would ever think that birds (especially birds of prey) yawn?? I’m going to have to watch the ones in my backyard and at the raptor center more carefully!
Thanks, Chris. Actually, raptors yawn fairly often – especially owls in my experience. Young Burrowing Owls are particularly enthusiastic about it.