I figured my readers deserve to know one of the reasons I’ve been posting so many older photos lately. Don’t expect quality images today – this post is about failure. And frustration.
In the last three weeks I’ve only been out on a bird photography trip one time, mostly because of bad weather, clouds, fog, smog and poor light. It’s been dismal around here. In those three weeks there have been two mornings where the forecast was for clouds but it turned out to be beautiful – but by that time of course it was too late for me to go. It’s been maddening as hell.
But early yesterday morning when it was still pitch black outside one weather site (the ironically named Accuweather) was predicting a sunny morning and another one said it would be mostly sunny so I headed for Bear River MBR in the dark, a 90 minute drive for me.
This is what greeted me when the sun came up at Bear River – fog and clouds! And for much of the morning the fog was significantly denser than this. The light was dismal for the entire day.
The only “luck” I had all morning (besides bad luck) was finding an interesting bird in the tree we see in this photo. This photo was taken a few seconds after it flew off – it had been perched on one of the far-right tree branches at mid-height.
1/1250, f/6.3, ISO 1250, Canon 7D Mark II, Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS II USM + EF 1.4 III Extender, not baited, set up or called in
This is it, a Barn Owl wet from the fog. Though I was delighted to see the owl the photo reflects the conditions it was taken in – poor light and fog. And the busy setting doesn’t help. For me the only real value of the photo is documentary.
Our winter inversions are unhealthy and downright depressing. The forecast for next week is for some improvement but as you probably know by now I have zero confidence in forecasts so we’ll just have to see how it all plays out.
And to think that our politicians are pushing, successfully so far, for yet another Winter Olympics here in Salt Lake City. If I were a tourist or a sports fan I sure wouldn’t spend big bucks to visit the valleys of northern Utah in winter.
But if I did I’d bring my own air.
Ron
It’s a teriffc shot that clearly shows the weather which makes it really interesting!
Charlotte
I share the same feelings as others do, this is a beautiful capture of the Barn Owl, such an expression on it’s face – speaks volumes to me. It has been 3 years since I have seen a Barn Owl. The last one I saw was being chased by a Snowy Owl in Rhode Island. That same year the Snowy Owl won the battles, 2 Barn Owls were taken by it, that painful to watch circle of life.
As for weather apps, I use Weather Live (a friend in Sweden showed it to me), it is okay, but as you say, Ron, none of them seem better than the others. I pretty much go by what I see when I look out the window and take my chances when I leave the house.
Ron, sorry you had to drive so far at such an early hour to be disappointed and probably angry. I like many other of your readers like the photo of your owl. I think the owl is thinking “Why are we foolish enough to be out in this weather?”.
I, like you, would prefer that some sunny skies show up. For what it’s worth, the forecast for tomorrow is Sunny. However the next week or so, cloudy every day, sorry to say.
Thank you for your dedication, Ron
Alice, I wasn’t angry but I was disappointed and frustrated. I hope you’re right about tomorrow.
Yes, I can understand being disappointed and frustrated. My word ‘angry’ was incorrect.
I like the photo. It is a sad looking owl he is tired of the weather too.
Nice sun and blue skies down south. Maybe a visit to your daughter for a few days and camp along the way. Red Rocks was busy, it always is but valley of fire wasn’t and the temperature is perfect.
Sounds like you enjoyed your time down there, April – good for you. Thanks.
I’m another reader who likes the shot. It looks like you used one of those fancy-schmancy filters. I’m going to guess that it is the fog producing the pearl-like structures on the smaller twigs that I find very appealing. As for the owl’s expression, I think he’s asking you if he can come hang out in the truck, have a bite of chocolate donut and maybe a little of the hot coffee (he’ll leave the milk and ice for you). 😉
Our forecasters nailed it, at least overnight. It started pouring around 2:30 this morning (don’t ask how I know).
Nope, no filters for me, Marty – not my style.
And that’s frost on the twigs. It was 29-30 degrees the entire time I was at the refuge. Thanks. And even forecasters get it right once in a great while… 🙂
I’ve been following your blog for about 6 months now and I’m in awe of your beautiful photos. This one is no exception. I love the mood of the shot and how you are able to capture the full experience. I agree with another comment that the conditions convey the mystery and phantom-like nature barn owls are known for. Thanks for wading out in that uninviting weather to get this shot. It reminds me of being at Ninepipe in the Flathead Valley in winter.
Julie, in all the years I lived in MT and many dozens of visits back “home” since I moved away I’ve never actually entered Ninepipe NWR, even though I’ve driven by it many times. Most of those times were before I took up bird photography though. Thank you.
I feel for your frustration, but join lots of others in loving the photo. Not least because it looks blissfully cool (amd our weather boffins have been all too accurate with their temperature predictions). And any day with an owl is an excellent day in my book.
Selfishness aside, I do hope you have better birding weather soon. Very soon.
Thank you, EC. So do I.
Sometimes your not perfect conditions make for me a beautiful shot 😁
I love it❗️
Happy Days
I appreciate knowing that, Diana. Thanks.
I love this photo. The fog gives it a sense of mystery. Barn owls are so very rare these days. Finding this individual was wonderful luck. (Sad to say the owl seems to be in poor health … the rehabber in me peeking out)
Melanie, I presumed he looks like he does because he was wet and bedraggled. He seemed to fly without any problem.
I think the photo is great Ron…once again nature doesn’t always comply with our wishes…you have obviously made the most of the conditions and have captured a beautiful bird in it’s natural environment…well done…and thank you for all the effort you put into your blog to satisfy all of us!
“nature doesn’t always comply with our wishes”
That’s been an understatement for me lately. Thanks, Steve.
Hi Ron,
I loved the Barn Owl. In my estimation that is a really great picture. I love the softness and the real feel for the bird and the place.
Thank you, Len.
G-Morning Ron.Yesterday was my premier launch date for my research Blog into Wolf Depredation that continues escalating in the Western States. A very contentious issue between Livestock producers and Conservationists!! I do offer a suggestion to mitigate some of the issues, that certainly is financially attractive to the alternatives that to date satisfies no one. Don
Could you take off in your trailer for a month to find a cheerier locale for shooting? Here in New England it’s the grey days that get me down. Last weekend there was beautiful light & there were lots of birds – but far offshore – & I got battered by the wind. Tough conditions. Beautiful owl!
I’d sure like to but I have other things going on in my life that preclude that very appealing option, LSC.
Oh dear, Ron!! After LSC’s comment I was going to say you could drive the camper to Florida, Visit Shannon, have lots of sunshine ANH birds to capture. However you response appears to put the Kibash to that!!
I like the photo Ron. It has a lot of atmosphere with it (no pun intended). There is a certain peace and solitude I remember at Bear River NWR on those foggy days. I am sure the inversions get old though. Strangely, we are getting day after day of grey snowy days here in Santa Fe, not usual for us, and we will take it since we need the moisture.
Intended or not I like your pun, Ed.
After the dry winter you folks had last year I’ll bet you DO appreciate the moisture you’ve been getting. Thanks.
Ron, how far (how high) do you have to drive to get above the layer of fog/clouds? I remember some beautiful tree-lined rivers with good light and eagles when I visited and got above the fog.
Yes, the farmers are very happy for all the snow we are getting, along with just about everyone else.
It isn’t far, ED. But this time of year in many of the mountain locations there isn’t light in the valleys until close to midday. However there are some places that aren’t like that and I do visit them occasionally.
Welcome to my world, Ron. Fortunately, weather.gov, best of the bunch, doesn’t much matter to me because I am 7 minutes from the mountain, and I can see the weather out my windows. Further from home, Jim and I remember a phrase from that weather service’s repeated forecasts from the summer – today will be much cooler than yesterday! when each day gets hotter, up to 106 F – Jim and I use that phrase as a judgment for a hopeful statement based on useless analysis or poor data. I like the barn owl a lot. I like shooting in the fog, too, but it’s not easy. I like the barn owl, I repeat. It’s looking right at you, and its expression tells a story. That look says “Human, how about if you slide on over to the right and stop watching me.”
I like to think about how predatory birds hunt in the dark and in the fog. In Jennifer Ackerman’s excellent book “The Genius of Birds,” I learned that birds have 4 cones in their eyes, as opposed to our 3, and learn aerial/spatial maps.
I live and die by the forecasts, Martha. It takes me considerable time to get to my shooting areas and I want to be there by dawn so when they’re wrong, as they very often are, I take it personally. It sounds like you get that. I’m glad you like the photo.
Title it something like “Owl in the mist” or “Fog and Owl #3”, put it in a gallery and I bet it would get scooped up straight away. In other words, I don’t think it was a wasted trip in the least.
I guess it all depends on the “packaging”… 🙂 Thanks, Lyle.
Actually– I “felt” this image as purely poetic– soft and almost an underwater in its effect ( which of course, it is )…..that said, folks who characterize the Wasatch front winter
conditions as “dark and dismal” haven’t a clue as to how spirit-killling and even health-threatening they are– which is why I fled the area long ago–even as otherwise beautiful
physically and fascinating culturally as the bowls fronting the mountains can be, living in them in the winter is something you have to experience to understand just how bad it
can be…….I’m glad that you can still manage to seek ( and find ) beauty like this lovely image.
“living in them in the winter is something you have to experience to understand just how bad it can be”
I think that’s absolutely true, Kris. It affects both one’s physical and mental health. Thank you.
I really like this photo because of the foggy atmosphere. But I do hope you get better weather.
Thanks on both counts, Arwen.
Dismal weather here in winter most times too. I too find we get better sky’s when most inconvenient too. I have been doing the same with older images. Your owl image is moody, and still a great shot.
At least we have those older shots, Donna. But it’s additionally depressing to run across those older photos taken in beautiful light on the same day in previous years.
Gotta get rid of this downer attitude of mine…
I find this photo beautiful. Unusual and evocative.
Thank you, Mary.
Well, Ron – this capture represents frustration to you but I like it!! Even with all the fog & bad lighting it gives a ghostly appearance & this handsome Owl stands out – even with all the photographic standards against it!
I’m glad you like it, Jo Ann. I wish I liked it better but for me most of its appeal is documentary – possibly because I was so damn frustrated.
I candefinitely understand AND identify, Ron!!
Mother nature always “wins” when it comes to weather (and most other things)….;) It certainly IS “frustrating” – other words also apply…. Love the photo of the Barn Owl in the fog – it all “fits” 🙂
You’re right, Judy – never bet against mother nature. And yes, I know and used some of those “other words”.
I can imagine your frustration after that drive. I can also imagine what that owl would have looked like on a clear morning with it’s colors and spots in focus. looking right at you! Ouch! Dark and dismal has been the norm here and it is so frustrating; even the resident birds at the feeders seem to look sad.
“I can imagine your frustration after that drive.”
Yup, you get it, Kathy. After having cabin fever for so long I was really anticipating some birds in good light, only to have my hopes dashed by the miserable conditions. It was a depressing drive home.
Dismal,but beautiful. Understanding what the conditions are I think the photo has a certain beauty just as it is. I think he is saying to you, “Morning Ron, sure is a lousy day, but what are we going to do?” “Hurry up and get your shot cause I’m heading back to the barn until it warms up, and you should do the same.” Actually like this photo.
Everett Sanborn, Prescott AZ
Thanks, Everett. And “headed back to the barn” is exactly what he did a few moments after the photo was taken. I should have taken his advice…
One good App which you might try to check weather is using Weather Bug. In my opinion It has much better forecast accuracy.
We’ve tried’em all, Krishna. In our experience none of them seem any better than the others over the long haul. Thanks for the suggestion.