I feel more sentimental about this image than any other bird photo I’ve ever taken, hands down.
Note: I’ve posted this photo previously, years ago, but I don’t like the way it was processed so I’ve re-cropped and re-processed this version. And I’ve never told this story before.
Many readers know that for year’s I’ve returned often to the Montana farm where I was raised. The draw for me is extended family that still lives there, the memories (oh the memories!) and the Great Horned Owls that have occupied the old farm buildings for many years now. In June their chicks fledge and in their explorations those curious little rascals can show up almost anywhere so on most mornings I’d get up before dawn (which arrives inhumanly early in northern Montana that time of year) and look for them.
1/30, f/5.6, ISO 500, Canon 40D, Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS USM + EF 1.4 III Extender, not baited, set up or called in
On June 9, 2009 I found this one perched on an old, junked motorcycle. I didn’t even have my camera with me because it was so dark for photography (much darker than it looks here) so I quickly ran back to the house to get my gear and only had time for a couple of shots before it flew off. At this focal length I’m amazed this one came out as well as it did while hand holding the very heavy older version of the 500mm with tc in this light and getting only 1/30 sec shutter speed.
Here’s the background on the image and why it means so much to me. Feel free to ignore all my jabbering if you don’t have the interest and just (hopefully) enjoy the photo of a great little owl on a very unusual perch.
As some readers know I was very close (we were like brothers) to my cousin Ken Dudley. His family and mine lived on adjacent farms as we were growing up and the twelve of us were like one big clan. Eventually my family moved away, I went to college in Utah and Ken and his father (and my favorite uncle) Floyd Dudley operated the combined farms together. Without Ken I’d have never been able to take up serious bird photography (that’s another story but I’ve documented it here if you have the interest).
When Ken and Floyd were living alone on the farm together in the late 70’s and 80’s they bought a pair of matching motorcycles for trips to nearby Glacier National Park and the like. Back then Ken was kind of a loveable “wild child” and one night he wrecked his bike (almost losing his life in the process) but after Floyd died Ken could never part with his Dad’s bike (even though he rarely if ever rode it and a neighboring farmer wanted to buy it) so it sat on the farm for decades gathering dust. It’s still there.
And that cute little owl did me the favor of perching on Floyd’s old bike and posing for me. Everything in this image is loaded with fond memories for me – including the “old shop” in the background and the flowering Caragana bush on the left (we used them on the farm for windbreaks – believe me, we needed them).
If you’re still here through all my ramblings thanks for indulging me. I do tend to go on at times…
Ron
PS – I’m having serious computer/internet problems and don’t know how long it will take me to resolve or how it may effect Feathered Photography down the road. Please bear with me if that happens.
PSS – My cousin Jim Dudley, Ken’s older brother, lives on the farm now. After he saw my post this morning he posted a shot of another Great Horned Owl fledgling (taken very recently) sitting on the workbench of Floyd’s “new shop”. He said that Floyd’s bike was only a few feet away from the bird. Perhaps those farm owls have a “thing” for that bike…? Anyway, if you’re interested and you’re on FB here’s the link to that photo.
Ok, Jim gave me permission to copy it from FB and post it here for those readers that aren’t on Facebook. The caption is Jim’s, from FB. The photo was taken in the “new shop” right next to the “old shop” in my photo. The fledgling is in defensive mode because Jim had to be in the shop to work. Those youngsters do get around!
And BTW, the greenhouse repair job Jim mentions was necessary because recently very strong winds damaged it severely.
“Ron’s pic of a fledgling great horned owl reminded me of a similar situation just a couple of weeks ago when I had some help from another chick just 30′ from Dad’s motorcycle – this owl is sitting on Dad’s workbench and is curious about my effort to repair parts to my greenhouse. Thanks Ron for bringing back memories”.
As a writer, I LOVE your jabbering. As a bird nerd, I LOVE your photography, and further as a raptor nerd, I LOVE your raptor shots, especially of the fledgling kiddos who are so very comical–not deliberately, but they’re just kids being kids. As a former gearhead nerd, I LOVE the motorcycle AND the baby owl perched on it. I’m thinking GHO Kiddo was busily souping up the motorcycle for a tour of the farm! Can you see THAT picture? LOL!
Sorry to be so late, but my Internet connection died Monday afternoon and I just got it back…mostly…a couple of hours ago. It’s still sputtering and spitting so better get while the gettin’s good. Time for a change in providers.
The workshop chick is absolutely precious. I would love to be able to have close encounters like that.
Wonderful shots and story Ron!
Charlotte
Thanks, Charlotte.
Ron, please thank Jim very much for sharing this dramatic photo. Wow! I’m blown away!
Hope the greenhouse is back “up and running” soon!
If I know Jim it will be, Marty. If it isn’t already.
Great stories and pics Ron, now…. where’s the owl tat.
Ha, I leave tattoos to others, Ron. Here’s an example of one of my Short-eared Owl images used for a tattoo by a young lady in New Zealand.
https://www.featheredphotography.com/blog/2013/02/19/short-eared-owl-tattoo-a-work-in-progress/
Wonderful story, wonderful memories! Being so late, all I can say is I agree with what everyone is saying! Just a great post!
Maybe I’ll fly by your spread when I come back!! VBG!!
I’m glad you enjoyed it so much, Dick. Thank you.
Biker chicks rule!!!
Sorry, couldn’t resist.
Love the story and the image.
Of course it means a lot to you. Which is part of the reason we come back each day.
You say so many things so well and so succinctly, EC.
“Biker chicks rule!!!” EC, you made me giggle-snort out loud with that one! Thanks! 😀
Love this photo. I’m with you Ron. I think Floyd was saying hello!
It’s fun to think so, Jean!
In case you missed it the first time around I’ve now posted a link to a very interesting recent farm photo of another owl fledgling on the farm Jim Dudley just posted to Facebook. The link is at the bottom of the post.
Do you think Jim would let you post his photo here (for those of us who aren’t members of the book of face)?
Marty, I’ve asked him but I have no idea when he’ll see my email.
Another farce book hold out? I knew we had lots in common.
😉
More stories, please! I really enjoy them! 😀
That is one badass fledgling! In many cultures, ancestral spirits return to Earth in animal form. Imagining that owl is your Uncle Floyd coming back to reclaim his Honda certainly makes my heart happy!
Hope your computer stuff is an easy fix.
P.S. Glory from the DC nest fledged — on purpose! — yesterday.
Marty, I like that thought of Floyd in a different incarnation sitting on that bike again!
The computer fix was getting a brand new modem. The old one was less than a year old! Comcast ate the cost though…
Glad it was an easy and cheap (for you) fix! 🙂
Love the owl photo and the story that goes with it. Little owl looks a bit like he might could have used some coffee to wake up that morning, too! Perhaps he’s still enjoying the Montana farm life with fledglings of his own.
Could be, Chris. But it’s hard to keep track of individual birds from generation to generation. If I remember correctly young GHO’s disperse and find new territories.
A nice, shiny Honda 750. Doesn’t look particularly neglected to me!
It always looked good, George. I think it had a few things going on mechanically though. And yes, it’s a 750.
Great story! Love the defiant look of the “bad ass biker”! (The winds in Montana must be like the winds in Wyoming…constant)…
Patty, Both states can be exceptionally windy on the east side of the Rockies. The winds can be howlingly relentless in winter and spring but summer and fall is usually gorgeous and calm.
I’m drawn to your site because of the photos but I keep coming back because of the stories. I love your “jabbering”!
That’s good to hear, Linda. Thanks.
Two favorite subjects – owls and motorcycles. Think I still have some Gear left over from my MC days. Wonder what size helmet it needs? You’ve brought back a lot of memories of my trip to AK via Glacier Park a few years back, thanks. Bill
Lots of bikers go through Glacier on their way to Canada and Alaska, Bill. Many of them go through Cut Bank so our single traffic light can get pretty noisy at times…
Love to go down memory lane and what a neat picture of the owl.
Thank you, Trudy.
Wonderful photo, and I enjoy the memories that go with it. It’s good that you have such fond memories of family – wish I could say I did, too. What I read wasn’t rambling at all.
Susan, Growing up I thought all families were like mine – close and with little or no bickering. It was only when I got older that I realized how lucky I was with mine.
Love it…we all are blessed with those shots that have so much more meaning than meets the eye. Thank you for sharing!
You’re right, Gisele, but even without those memories I really like this photo for its uniqueness.
Fabulous photo and story. 😀
Thanks, Arwen.
Doesn’t get any better than a bird and a memory!
Nope, it sure doesn’t, Ann…
Half gallon of morning coffee? Glad to see you are cutting back.
For a junker, that Honda is looking pretty good, but the memories appear to shine through even more. Fantastic! I’m sure the fledge turned into a wild child that it’s parents were proud of. I love your trips down memory lane.
I don’t drink quite so much morning coffee any more, Neil – it bothers my stomach. Funny thing is that I can’t stand to drink any coffee at all later in the day.
Yeah, that bike was in good shape for many years. After his accident Ken wasn’t much interested in riding anymore but he still couldn’t part with it.
Touching story and wonderful photo. It’s funny what those young’ns get up to!
How did you manage to hold the camera steady at that shutter speed? Got any hints?
Joanne, the trick is to shoot off a series of bursts. With that many shots at least one of them is likely to be reasonably sharp even under those extreme lighting conditions.
Ahhh… Thanks!
A terrific picture and story. Thanks.
Thank you, Ann.
It’s wonderful to hear about a childhood filled with friendship and great memories ( seems like I hear an awful lot of kvetching these days ! ) that little owl’s still wispy head feathers almost remind
me of a dew-rag bandana–I can imagine him roaring off into the sunrise ; how’s that for anthropomorphism ?
Kris, My fond memories of time living on and visiting the farm are endless. But I’ll admit some of them aren’t quite so pleasant – they mostly involve wind, long, cold and dark winters and what I thought as a teenager was too damned much work!
Love the story and the photograph.
Thank you, Marcia.
VBG ear to ear! 🙂 Wonderful shot and the memories to go with and around it are great! I know how meaningful they are to you. 🙂 Yes, June dawn does come early in northern MT for sure! 🙂 Thx for sharing the memories and, of course, I’m partial to GHO’s, particularly the owlets as they figure out their world. Hope the computer/internet issues get handled without TOO much cussing…………….
Yes, you would know about those early dawns too, Judy. One of the images in the rotating banner at the top of my blog is of one of those dawns on the farm – those spectacular sunrises are almost more of an eye opener than my half gallon of morning coffee!
It is a beautiful picture I’ve looks at often and see regularly here……………:)
That dawn on the farm shot in your header is one of my favorite photos!