When it comes to Barn Owls in flight sometimes you’re the windshield and sometimes you’re the bug.
Or… in the way Sturgill Simpson sings it “Well some days you kill it and some days you just choke, Some days you blast off and some days you just smoke”
I’ve had a lot on my plate for the last few days so today’s post will likely be brief.
Around here February usually presents our best chance at seeing Barn Owls hunting in daylight so yesterday morning I decided to give it a go and make the attempt. Mostly I failed. I was able to get a few shots as this owl was diving into the vegetation with a vole already in its talons but (and it’s a huge “but”) the bird was far away and backlit in low light.
I could have improved the image by playing with adjustments like contrast and saturation during processing but I just didn’t have the time and it’s my inclination to avoid doing so anyway. Besides, I only kept this shot to document the sighting and my defeat.
Other photographers appeared to be getting closer looks at Barn Owls than this yesterday but my hesitation to approaching them and scaring off the bird and my deep-seated aversion to shooting in crowds prevented it. Sometimes I’m my own worst enemy but “I yam what I yam”.
Something like this image from my archives is always my goal with Barn Owls. The bird was hunting in full daylight (unusual for the species), it was close and coming at me, it’s sharp, there’s a good look at habitat in the image and I even have some light in that deeply set eye.
Quite a contrast between the two images.
I’ll say it again – quality bird photography ain’t easy.
Ron
Notes:
- Every time I post an owl in flight and coming at me I feel the need to make it clear that it wasn’t baited. It wasn’t. It’s too bad it’s come to that with bird photography these days, but it most definitely has.
- For some unfathomable reason WordPress published this post arbitrarily and before I hit the “publish” button so some early-bird readers saw the post before it was finished. Sorry about that…
LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the second!!! Composition, birds flight pidition, cattails…perfect!!! Not bad for a windsheild!!!👍🏼😍👏😉
Thanks very much, Patty.
Beautiful photos and comments. I went to the Eccles Wildlife Education Center this morning. They had a special Eagle Day and Nino Reyes, Indian Flute Player was there. My daughter volunteers at the center two or three times a week. Quite a crowd so I was sure you were,t there but it encouraging to see families with children learning what they have to offer.
I also saw a friend of yours, HawkWatch was part of the celebration and they brought a golden eagle and Galileo. It was a treat to see him up close. I was surprised at his size. I expected him to be larger. It is hard to realize something size in a photo. WE are very lucky to have places like the Eccles Center.
Nice to see barn owl again. Yesterday was a frustrating photography day at the bay for me too. I went in the afternoon, the light was beautiful but too many photographers for me. Many walking toward the birds for a good photo scaring them off the their food. This bothers me more because it has such harmful effects to the bird, they need to eat in these cold temps. I did not stay long and I mostly sat and watched. Non of my photos were sharp. I also answered a lot of questions from other photographers who were new to the area. I must look like a seasoned old fart!
I can’t stand those crowds, April. I won’t go into all the reasons why but I’m sure you’re aware of most of them. Knowing me I’ll probably avoid Farmington most of the time for the rest of the month. If I do go I’ll likely just concentrate on areas away from eagles and crowds.
Doesn’t the bay close at the dirt mound the end of this month?
Yes. But I still go where I can at Farmington in the spring months.
Not easy at all. Thank you for your ethics and your perservance and the wonders you give us. I hope your busy days have some pleasant moments in them, and you feel MUCH more like the dog than the fire hydrant.
Thanks, EC. But these days I’m looking more and more like that red plug with yellow stains running down it.
I am sorry. If wishes had power you would be shiny and new.
Love that second. It’s so clear…the difference between the two. Glad you don’t take shortcuts. 🙂
Thank you, Arwen. I’ve been known to take shortcuts but I don’t do it often when it comes to birds or photography.
Both are captivating shots in their own way. You just know the first owl has a vole in his sights and the second perhaps has you in his sights. Interesting, too, that the surroundings are so similar; as if they were sequential exposures.
I also really enjoyed the Grebe feast (double entendre intended).
“Interesting, too, that the surroundings are so similar; as if they were sequential exposures”
The fact that both shots were taken at Farmington at the same time of year is part of it, Lyle. And I nearly always enjoy double entendre, even when it’s a little racy…
Always nice to see what ever you post. I just could not get up that early to view wildlife. Let alone in the cold mornings. Have a good day.
Thanks, Trudy. I’m an early bird by nature and I also think mornings are the very best time of day, for photography and for life…
I think the first shot is pretty cool…I agree with Kathy that it looks like an early morning hazy shot…the second one is fantastic.. one of the reasons I appreciate your photos and blog is your ethics…besides the fact that your photos are the best …..Thanks again Ron
“it looks like an early morning hazy shot”
That’s part of the reason it looks like it does, Steve – it was. Thanks for the very kind words.
Your success photo is wonderful! Your ethics and exacting work are too.
Thank you on all three counts, Nancy.
Both shots are great BUT the first one REALLY speaks to me for whatever reason – the “context” besides the bird is wonderful and I’m not generally drawn to more muted photo’s! 🙂
Thanks, Judy. I’m glad you like that first one. As for me I’ll have to work on a little “attitude adjustment”… 🙂
I’ve never seen a barn owl out in daylight, maybe someday. That second shot is just wonderful and I do like the owl’s pose in the first shot very much.
“…it ain’t easy.” (he said, with a wry grin)
I missed commenting during yesterday’s blog on the feeding grebes, really enjoyed having so many photos on the same theme, outstanding shots and narrative.
Thanks again for starting our days so well.
I think most folks share your experience of having never seen a Barn Owl fkying in daylight, Dave. Around here we’re just lucky in that regard this time of year.
And thanks for your comment on yesterday’s post. I like that one too.
The background matches him perfectly. Nice photo. Thanks for taking the time to post even with your busy schedule.
Everett Sanborn, Prescott AZ
Thank you, Everett.
Wow , the second photo is fantastic. ❤️ The colors are perfection for this barn owl. Love the ‘Monet’ style backgrounds in both photos. In fact the first photo is also appealing to me…I see it as if through the ‘haze of morning’. I understand the aversion to baiting…gives me a sick feeling when I read about what lengths some go to for a photo. There is a bog in Minnesota that draws huge crowds for certain owls this time of the year. Guides are there to lead you through; I’ve seen pictures of the rows of tripods set up…it isn’t a pretty site.
Thanks, Kathy. I’m betting you’re referring to Sax-Zim Bog. I’ve never been there but I’ve heard about what it’s like shooting there. It’s not for me…