Man, does this photo ever bring back memories from long ago!
It was taken on May 16, 2007 and it was the first flight shot of any bird I ever attempted. At the time I was hugely intimidated by flight shots. Hell, I even had trouble getting static shots sharp and I certainly didn’t understand camera settings – “poke and hope” was my standard operating procedure back then.
For this shot I was using my first digital SLR camera, a cheap Canon XTi mounted to the early version of Canon’s 100-400 zoom lens. I’d only recently bought my 500mm lens but it was heavy, I was on foot and I knew even less about using it than I did about my other gear so I’d left my big gun in the house.
1/1600, f/9, ISO 400, Canon Rebel XTi, Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS USM @100mm, not baited, set up or called in
I’d walked up the hill from the house on the Montana farm to a very old granary that from a great distance I’d seen an owl fly into. The granary was so old it was literally falling down. The owl was perched on one of the interior rafters that was exposed to the sky due to the deterioration of the granary. I got a few shots of him perched but other rafters were blocking part of the owl. Since he was partially hidden I thought he was comfortable with my presence but apparently I was mistaken because without warning he took off.
All I had time to do was point my lens in his direction and fire – there was no focusing involved. The only reason I was able to get him as sharp as I did was because I was so close to him and I was shooting at only 100mm which gave me oodles of depth of field. I like the wing position and the head turn but I wish I’d had a little more shutter speed to get his wings sharper.
It isn’t a great shot but it isn’t bad either. And I certainly don’t deserve credit for the skill usually required for flight shots – this result was pure, unadulterated luck.
And you know what?
After almost eleven additional years of bird photography it’s still my only flight shot of a Great Horned Owl.
Ron
PS – At this very early point in my bird photography I was still shooting in jpeg rather than RAW and this photo was underexposed in camera. I hate processing images taken in jpeg, especially those requiring exposure adjustments. I strongly encourage any serious photographer reading this who’s still shooting in jpeg to switch over to RAW as soon as possible.
You’ll regret it if you wait as long as I did.
Gorgeous GHO! Love the wing positions — I think the slight distal softness adds to the sense of motion. GHOs have such phenomenal markings!
I’m glad you like it, Marty. Thank you.
Beautiful. once again it is not the camera but who is using the camera. Great Capture, I have only seen GHO fly at night. I love their feathered feet.
Thanks, April. On the farm I’ve seen them fly frp, granary to granary fairly often but nearly always it’s been from a distance.
Yes to your last note – but make sure you let people know the need for extra storage! When I went from JPG to Raw, I made the mistake thinking that I could get away with the little storage I had. Boy was I mistaken
I don’t even have a GH image let alone a flying one, so lucky you with all your GH owl shots – he says with oodles of envy!
Dick, you’re right about storage but if we keep up with culling (as I haven’t been doing lately) it shouldn’t be a problem at all.
Culling is a dirty word
I’m glad you are disciplined enough to cull, NOT ME! I agree with April it is a dirty word!
There’s culling and then there’s CULLING… 😉
OOOOOH. And my usual expressions of wonder. And gratitude.
Poke and hope is a great term too.
I kinda like that phrase too, EC. Thanks.
They have such beautiful coloring. Great shot!
Thanks, Jean.
I like to think this owl is moving from another dimension. That’s why it’s blurry on the backend. I’ll just be over here–>in my own little fantasy world.
You won’t be alone in that fantasy world Arwen.
I’ll scootch over, EC 🙂 all are welcome.
Fantasy worlds are a great to go – they’re often fulfilling and they’re cheap!
Great shot , even if it was “luck”…the fact that you were there with your camera looking for a photo op had a lot to do with it though…if one puts in the time and energy good things happen…I’m sure glad you do. I agree also that RAW is almost a necessity if you are to be serious about photography…Photoshop Elements is the route I took
Steve, I think Elements is a great way to go. Many of its features are the same as full Photoshop and it’s cheaper. I’ve used Elements as my photo organizer from the get-go and I still do.
One reason flight shots are difficult is that often, even a big bird will take off FASTer than one can be ready – in this case you had no visual cues from the owl’s posture – the bird was inside, overhead, so you weren’t watching him/her hunch, prepare to spring. . yes, fortune favored you. And then there’s the light. Yesterday around here I blew a stunning shot of a great blue heron and a great egret rousing and flying toward each other because ISO 3200 wasn’t fast enough for the grey, foggy dawn.
The way I bought my great lenses was I shifted the charges to a zero interest for 15 months credit card. And when that 15 months runs out, I’m going to do it again. I will get them paid off in 2020…
PS re phragmites, per UC, it is still legal for nurseries to sell the plants.
Interesting strategy for buying lenses, Martha!
Thanks for the feedback on the phrags.
This photo proves the concept that who is behind the camera is more important than the camera itself. Even for a beginner flight shot this is a striking photo, plus I suspect that most people, including me, will never even see a Great Horned Owl.
Most everything is more important than the camera itself, at least in some ways, Lyle. Thank you.
Been there done that – great story Ron and a pretty damn good photo.
Everett Sanborn, Prescott AZ
Thank you, Everett.
Reaffirming to know you can get a shot like that with a lesser camera. We can’t all afford the high priced stuff. And on a budget, I think I’d rather put my money into the lens rather than the camera!
“I think I’d rather put my money into the lens rather than the camera!”
That’s exactly right, Pierce – you’ve hit that nail on the head! Most any DSLR will take high quality photos but the same is FAR from true for lower quality lenses. And cameras become almost obsolete and/or wear out fairly quickly but a quality lens can serve you splendidly for decades.
Beautiful , we have a large “city” owl that lives in our neighborhood in Charlotte NC. Love to see them, great shot!
Thank you, Theresa.
To be so lucky! Certainly made me smile looking at that terrific bird! Just the size of those feet takes your breath away. ❤️ I’ve never had the privilege of seeing one yet. Living at the edge of a heavily wooded ravine, I’m beginning to hear owls hooting throughout the night again…no clue as to what kind they could be here in farm country and I’ve never sought them out. On your other point…I keep saying shoot in raw today but then don’t do it. I’m just hesitant to start the learning curve…I know I’ll be more satisfied with my photos if I do though. Strange how one can be so hesitant at this age! 😏
“Strange how one can be so hesitant at this age!”
I think it’s pretty typical for many of us, Kathy and I’m usually among the worst in that regard. It helps immensely if you can find some knowledgeable person to sit down with you at the computer and teach you one on one. With editing programs (Photoshop and others) there’s so much peripheral “stuff” that you don’t need to process an image, and the programs are so complex, that it can be terribly intimidating. But one and one you cut through all that chaff very quickly.
That’s how I learned and I’ve used the same method while teaching others.
I love this photo.It was my discovery of a GHO nest that launched my now life long birding hobby many decades ago. That is a great shot you got there Ron.
Sounds like that GHO was your “spark bird”, Brian. Our personal spark birds are something most of us don’t forget. Thank you.
Holy Cow, Ron!! Thank the Lord for “dumb luck”!! What a spectacular capture even if it’s due to dumb luck. Very interesting that you’ve never had the opportunity for another GHO in flight shot. Will be interesting to compare the two in the future. I’ll keep my fingers crossed that you get that chance again!!
“Very interesting that you’ve never had the opportunity for another GHO in flight shot.”
I’ve had the opportunity a few times but not very often and I’ve always botched it when I had the chance. Judy got it right when she said “unless something has spooked them they rarely fly during the day”. Thanks, Jo Ann.
Grinning ear to ear this morning! 🙂 For all it’s technical shortcomings it’s a wonderful shot! 🙂 And just look at those feet! Unless something has spooked them they are rarely flying during the day and well camouflaged in the trees here. Know all about the “spray and pray” thing……;) I still do jpeg as I’m just not willing to put the time and effort needed to learn/do much editing…….;)
I figured you might enjoy this owl and the MT connection, Judy. Thanks.
I agree, because of the learning curve involved switching over to RAW is a big step but for those potentially interested in serious photography the sooner the better IMO…