I don’t have many Christmassy-looking images to accompany my heart-felt wishes that all of my readers have a joyous holiday with family and loved ones so this Barn Owl in flight against a snowy backdrop will just have to do. I thought about cloning a red Santa hat onto the head of the bird but that thought was a fleeting one because I just couldn’t bring myself to do that to the owl.
1/3200, f/7.1, ISO 500, Canon 7D, Canon EF500mm f/4L IS USM +1.4 tc, canvas added for composition, not baited, set up or called in
I photographed this owl as it hunted for voles in very deep snow two winters ago at Farmington Bay. Though that much snow is hard on our owls I find myself hoping for some of it tonight. We haven’t had significant snow yet this year but we’re finally supposed to get dumped on tonight and wake up to a white Christmas. If it happens I’m hoping to go looking for birds if I can safely get to a good location and there’s enough light. It’s our tradition to photograph birds on Christmas morning whenever possible and we have hopes for tomorrow, though it may or may not pan out.
Whatever your tradition is for the holiday I hope it’s a joyous one.
Merry Christmas!
Ron
Wonderful shots Ron! Merry Christmas and a healthy happy New Year!
Charlotte
Beautiful photo! Hope you had a wonderful Christmas, with excellent photography opportunities.
Merry Christmas. Love the owl, and agree that a Santa hat would be a crime. The sort of crime which would make coal in your stocking mandatory. In perpetuity.
Good Morning Ron,
Merry Christmas to you I hope it is white. Thank you for giving me a Christmas present every day of the year. I also try to take bird pictures and every day with you is an inspiration. Many Thanks.
Len
Merry Christmas Ron. Thanks for making my year just that much better through your always beautiful, amazing, and enlightening photos.
Thanks Ron for another year of sharing your beautiful photos and your invaluable remarks and comments. I always check out your posts every morning. A great way to start a new day..
Peace and happiness.
Thank you for the beautiful Barn Owl photo. I remember the other Barn Owl photos you took that day in the snow. I love all owls but Barn Owls are my weakness. I hope you and your family have a beautiful Christmas and that you get to take some bird photos in the morning.
Thanks for all the great photos Ron. Hope you get lots of snow for Christmas.
Hope you get lots of snow!!! Thanks for all the great photos. Have a wonderful Christmas Ron.
Merry Christmas, hope you get your wish. I prefer not to get any, but looks like we might have a white New Years so that means no hike.
Jo
Beautiful, as always Ron. Thanks for a year of amazing photography and great stories and interesting facts about all your subjects.
Merry Christmas to you and yours, Pamela
Lovely photo… Merry Christmas, Ron!
Merry Christmas to you and your loved ones, Ron. Here’s hoping you awake to snow and light, and many thanks for the gifts you give us throughout the year. Happy New Year!
Cheers,
Dick
I ordered from Amazon snow for your area and clear roads to your favorite birding spots. Sure hope they deliver.
Beautiful shot! one bird I still haven’t seen. Yes, a Santa hat on a pelican in Florida is more kitschy.
Merry Christmas, Ron. Great photos, as always.
I’ve been playing catch-up here for the last 40 minutes, reading about the origins of the prairie falcon you photographed in MT, the GHO, its feather and those fabulous owlet photos, the sandhill cranes, and this barn owl in flight…a treasure trove of very special birds and information! Finding your blog earlier this year has been the gift that keeps on giving…so I thank you for your commitment to your craft, to the birds and to this blog, Ron, and wish you many more happy encounters with these fascinating creatures in the year ahead! Oh, and a very merry and white Christmas! 🙂
Your comment was a fine Christmas present, Chris. Thank you very much.
I love the face of a Barn Owl. We used to have one in our area that stayed in the trees across the street from our home. It actually flew right over my head, looking down at me. What a treat. We haven’t seen the Owl in a while though. Thank you for sharing all of your wonderful photos..You have a true talent..
Merry Christmas!!
Jeanne
“It actually flew right over my head”
They’re prone to do just that occasionally, Jean. I’ve had it happen and just this morning a friend (Shyloh Robinson) was telling me about a similar experience he had recently. It’s darned neat when it happens!
Here’s to 2015, with more of your stupendous photos.
Beautiful image Ron ! Merry Christmas to you and yours !
Merry Christmas. You are a blessing to the birds you photograph and the people you educate. Thanks for the beautiful images I look forward to seeing each day. Happy 2015.
Merry Christmas and thank you for the pictures.
Merry Christmas, Ron!