I’ve been wondering when I’d photograph my first Barn Owl of the winter. Yesterday was it.
1/2000, f/6.3, ISO 500, Canon 7D Mark II, Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS II USM + 1.4 tc, not baited, set up or called in
Due to clouds in the early morning I didn’t get into the field until later than usual and by that time this bird had apparently eaten its fill and wasn’t interested in anything other than sleep. When I first arrived on the scene it barely squinted at me (as it’s doing here) and then went back to sleep. The owl was right next to the road and I figured that because of the traffic the next time I passed the area it would be gone but I came by four times over a couple of hours and it was in the same spot each time. Its cryptic coloration made it very difficult to spot and I don’t believe other folks even noticed it while I was there.
1/3200, f/6.3, ISO 500, Canon 7D Mark II, Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS II USM + 1.4 tc, not baited, set up or called in
Even as I started my engine and then slowly drove past the bird it never opened its eyes so I left it in peace for the rest of the morning. Life is tough for these owls when severe winter weather arrives. They typically begin hunting during daytime because they’re forced to – they have a difficult time finding enough food, mostly voles, in the deep snow so they have to hunt longer to find enough nourishment. And their demands for food go up when it’s very cold so it’s a tough time of year for them. Many don’t make it through the winter.
I took a short video clip of the owl that I decided to include. There’s not much excitement here because the bird is very sleepy but you’ll see just how difficult they are to spot in a setting like this.
I have many other Barn Owl images that are more interesting than these but it’s always exciting to see and photograph my first bird of the season.
Ron
My 10 year old son and I enjoy your hobby. Thanks. We are in the crowded northeast and your posts give us a nice vacation.
Merry Xmas from Montana to you & yours Ron! Haven’t posted in quite awhile, but I’m still around. Can’t resist a good Barn Owl photo!
I hope E.E. McPherson can spot Santa in time for one of you to get a good shot of him and his reindeer….
My absolutely favorite raptor of all! Thank you so much for sharing the video too, Ron!
One of the main reasons I like Farmington Bay in the winter is the owls.Thank you for the wonderful gift in your photos and blog. May you have a Merry Christmas and continued progress with Shannon’s recovery.
“One of the main reasons I like Farmington Bay in the winter is the owls”
Me too, April. But the icing on the cake includes eagles, harriers, kestrels and others. Farmington can be a pretty magical place for raptors. Thank you for the kind wishes.
On this side of the world, Christmas has landed.
And your post and video are WONDERFUL gifts.
I hope your year ahead is full of love, laughter, health and birds for you and everyone you care about.
I return the same good wishes, EC. And thank you.
As I watched the video, I was amazed you ever spotted this bird. I had trouble spotting it even when I knew where to look. I love the colors and shape of these beautiful owls and still hope to see one “in person” some day…I’m still
convinced that they’re sprinkled with stardust….
Merry Christmas and I hope you have a happy, healthy New Year, and the your daughter, Shannon does, too. Thank you for all the wonderment you share, brightening the days of all of us who are fortunate enough follow your blog…
“I was amazed you ever spotted this bird”
It’s a very good thing that Mia has much better eyesight than I do, Patty. I’d have missed this bird but then I do occasionally have to watch the road too…
Merry Christmas to you too!
You need one of those cars that drive themselves–then, maybe, you can spot birds, too…in the meantime, I’m glad you have Eagle Eyes McPherson (AKA “E.E.” McPherson)riding shotgun…..what we do without her???
Hi Ron, just want to thank you for all the beautiful images from this year , and to wish you a merry Christmas and a happy New year . You touch our lives in such a wonderfully positive and informative way !
Sincerely , Lolly
Thank you very much for the very thoughtful comment, Laurel.
They are my favorite… ❤️❤️❤️
Nicole, when it comes to owls I have a difficult time picking favorites but Barn Owls are certainly near the top of my list.
Beautiful Owl Ron. Your video is very educational on just how well these owls blend in. Do you think Barn Owls normally roost in the day like this in that area, or only in very cold weather? We have Barn Owls on our property at 6500 feet in Santa Fe, where it is cold and snowy, yet we never see them in the daylight. I am glad you were able to see this one. Have a Happy Holiday season !
“Do you think Barn Owls normally roost in the day like this in that area, or only in very cold weather?
Only when it’s cold and there’s lots of snow, Ed. And I think the snow is key because it makes it more difficult for them to find voles so they often have to hunt into the daylight hours. Then they often roost where happenchance finds them.
Beautiful creature! Because I have really bad eyesight (wearing glasses since the age of 7),I have taught myself shape recognition. I can id many breeds of dogs based on shape and movement at a distance. And I can find birds in trees because the shape is what I key in on. 😀 My husband says if only I could do that about the clutter in the house. I’m sure I don’t know what he means. 😀
I agree, Arwen. Shape recognition is extremely helpful in spotting birds.
Tell your husband you’re NOT SUPPOSED to spot owls in your house…cluttered or not…(I think he needs a hobby…maybe housekeeping.). You need to be free to spot owls and any other birds that might be lurking (illegally) in your house…big fines if you don’t see them first and shoo them out the door!!!
Your eyes have to be well trained to find this Owl in this situation. I actually saw Barn Owls in the wild back in November, and was surprised by how small they were. Not sure why I thought they were huge birds. I’m glad to know that it had eaten and was able to sleep.
Susan, One thing that helps to find them is to remember the types of places they prefer to roost in the winter. This one was a little unusual, I most often find them on the ground among the phrags. But darn they’re hard to spot because they’re mostly the exact same color as the phrags this time of year.
Wow! Barn owls have such lovely coloring. And you have a good eye, Ron. I enjoyed the video. I stopped it right off to see if I could spot the owl before you zoomed in. Very difficult.
Happy Solstice and Merry Christmas Ron. You have added much enjoyment to my life this year. I really love your blog. I hope you keep it up for years to come!
Cathryn
“I hope you keep it up for years to come!”
Who knows how long I’ll keep at it, Cathryn. Haven’t lost the drive and the interest yet so it may last for a few years longer. Thank you.
The owl shows up so clearly, but sure disappears when you back away! 🙂 Great photo’s. Merry Christmas and extra thoughts and prayers for Shannon.
Thank you, Judy, on all counts!
Merry Christmas from another that reads but does not often post. It is wonderful to see this owl. I am still amazed that anyone found it, so a shout out to Mia. Thank you for sharing your photography and the wildlife in your area.
Kathy, Mia is a great spotter and also great company. I have to keep my eyes on the road (at least SOME of the time…) but I sure wish I still had the eyes I had 25 years ago…
Ron, I’m quite happy with the blog, and will never burden you with expectations, I promise! I’m glad you’re interested in the link, though. Something you can tuck away and consider for mini-projects at some future point.
🙂
Ron, I just read your blog entry on “The Events and the Birds that Hooked Me on Bird Photography”. Thanks so much for sharing this with us! I love hearing the evolution of your passion, too.
If you ever consider creating a book from your blog, I’ve heard there’s a swift and straightforward way. Check out http://www.blog2print.com/ in your “free time”… One option they offer their clients is creating a PDF rather than a hard copy version of their book/blogs. I’m guessing that using this approach converts a lot of material quickly into their book format. Then you could cull individual pages from the final PDF book at your leisure. Might seem more doable to view a fully assembled product in one fell swoop and then whittle it down! 🙂
Just a thought, if you ever wondered how your wonderful blog would translate. Like many of your other readers, I only follow 1 blog – yours!
Well…., I will say that you’ve got me curious enough to check out the link, Alison. I really appreciate your confidence in me and your other kind comments.
Don’t hold your breath for a book though…
I would like to order a few copies of that book some day.
Beautiful coloration on Barn Owls, and this one is tops, very cryptic!!
Wishing you and your family a Merry, and healthful Christmas. Have a great and productive 2016!
And, since I’m a starwers fan – “May the Force be with You!!”
I hope you have a great Christmas too, Dick.
I’ll bet you’ve seen the new movie already. I’d like to see it too but I don’t do well in a theatre environment. Just too crowded for me. I need my space – probably related to why I don’t like to fly…
Oh yes, saw a pre-showing! Daughter bought tickets for us all to go the night before it was to go public.
Great Movie, and the English girl actress was excellent. Some old and some new characters – well worth the $$!
There will be a DVD just waiting for you Ron, so you will have your space and can see the movie – highly recommended.
Somehow I get the idea that you would never be happy as a sardine….
When you are packed in like a sardine you have NO control! I’m with Ron on that, but have to admit that when we have to go a distance I do go by plane. Close my eyes and hold on tight on take-off and pray like hell when were coming down to land!!
Great shots Ron and the video was interesting to show it’s position along the road. You really do have eto have a very sharp eye tosee it. I don’t think I would have found it.
Merry Christmas!!
Charlottr
Thanks, Charlotte. Actually my eyes aren’t that great any more. Mia spotted the owl.
Wendy put it well… Thanks for all you share with us, and I wish you and your loved ones the very best during the coming year. I’ll include the welfare of the barn owls in my wishes, too!
“I’ll include the welfare of the barn owls in my wishes, too!”
Good! They need all the help they can get, Alison.
Merry Christmas Ron. I enjoy your photos and while I don’t often comment I want you to know I appreciate you dedication and expectations as a photographer and a person who is concerned about wildlife and the environment. I hope your daughter continues to make progress and that you have a season of joy and peace.
Thank you, Wendy. I hope you have a wonderful holiday season too.