I have a stubborn streak that occasionally gets me into trouble but every once in a while it pays off.
1/2500, f/7.1, ISO 640, Canon 7D Mark II, Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS II USM, not baited, set up or called in
I spent almost 10 minutes with this young Short-eared Owl yesterday morning in northern Utah. It allowed me a close approach (shooting from my pickup) but the bird was side-lit so I decided to keep my lens trained on it for as long as it took for the owl to give me an interesting pose or two to make up for the less than ideal light angle. But this owl was a stick-in-the-mud for the entire time and barely even moved. Eventually I gave up, stowed my lens and started to drive away.
As I pulled away the ornery cuss chose that moment to perform a beautiful, slow wing and leg stretch and glared at me defiantly as it did so – as if to say, “How do you like that, buddy? Better luck next time!”.
But I fooled him/her. As I was creeping along the road I quickly grabbed my lens, stuck it out the window and popped off a few shots. This is one of them. True, the light angle isn’t the best but I got the shots I was after and I consider that to be a moral victory over my uncooperative subject.
Na na na na na na!
Ron
That look would be terrifying if I were foot tall.
Can you image that look from a big moa?
Stubborn almost ALWAYS works! YAY Ron! And I just love the stink eye look you got as a bonus! LOL!
Stink eye is right, Laura. And that look just kept on giving and giving – I got lots of shots of it.
LOL! Don’t feel like the Lone Ranger. I got the stink eye treatment all day today after changing all of Mariah’s perches. The Queen was displeased. When you’ve been dismissed by a raptor, you’ve been DISMISSED. Queen Elizabeth’s got nuthin’ on Mariah and Skye!
Isn’t it lovely when being more stubborn than stains pays off?
And I am still smiling at your final line.
“Isn’t it lovely when being more stubborn than stains pays off?”
I only wish it happened more often, EC. Usually it just gets me in hot water.
Well done Ron!
Charlotte
Thanks, Charlotte.
That is a good shot. Did she stick her tongue out at you? She doesn’t look amused lol.
Have a wonderful 4th Ron, and Happy 4th of July to all!
“Did she stick her tongue out at you?”
No, but the bird sure gave me the stink-eye, Jean. Thanks – you too.
Sure is giving you “evil eyes” it appears. Hope you two consort more in the future.
It would be fun to spend some more time with this bird, Gary.
Hey, that is a cute picture. Next time toss her a mouse! I know you don’t do that. Fun Fun
“Next time toss her a mouse! I know you don’t do that”
You’re right about that, Trudy. Glad you enjoyed it!
Thank you for starting my day with a laugh. The owl’s expression is priceless, and the shot is beautiful. Love your adult attitude… 😀
“Love your adult attitude…”
I’ve always said I’m still a kid in some ways, Susan. And some of them ain’t purdy…
Boy, is that ever a defiant look! Got to be male, can’t imagine a female looking so ornery!
Love the shot! I’ll wager he will be a successful Owl, or he will go out fighting like mad!!!!
Happy 4th to you and Mia!
“can’t imagine a female looking so ornery”
Your experience in that arena must be different than mine, Dick… 🙂
I’m sure your right Ron, because I’d stake my life on the love of my life for 58 years!
Can’t speak for others.
Great shot, Ron! I like the light angle as it helps emphasize the glare the owl is giving you (really makes that left eye perfect). I have a question: was the engine of your truck running when you took the shot? If so, the vibration does not seem to have blurred the shot, as happened to me when I have tried that.
Nancy, Yes, the engine was running. That’s just one of the reasons I prefer relatively high shutter speeds even on perched birds (though of course I always turn the engine off when I have the opportunity).
Love the pose…and your comments….You showed that smarty pants (I mean britches)!!’ Happy 4th!
Same to you, Patty! Thanks.
Hahaha! Thanks for this laugh. That last na na na was perfect. 🙂
Thanks, Arwen. Sometimes the juvenile competitor in me still rears its ugly head.
Great shot even if the owl was hoping you’d blow it! 🙂 I lost that battle yesterday evening with an immature bald eagle in the yard being harassed by orioles who apparently had a nest close by. Actually, wanted it to fly as my chickens knew it was there also and holed up in a lilac bush not wanting to go to the coop! Not that I blame them! 🙂
We lose a lot of those battles, don’t we, Judy? That’s part of what makes the occasional victory so sweet.
Part of the allure of wildlife photography is watching the behavior of the critters and interesting behavior usually takes some time. Coupling it with an interesting background and light…
…I’m addicted!
Looking forward to a trip up there again this week.
Happy 4th of July!
Who knows, maybe we’ll see you up there again, Neil. But I never know until the last minute when I’m going.
I’ll give you a heads up. The burgers alone are almost worth the drive.
Agreed!
Ah, the sweet smell of success… Sometimes we win, sometimes we lose…
All part of the “game.” i love it!!! Another great shot. :-)))
Thank you, Roger.