Ground Hunting Short-eared Owl

Given the conditions I was particularly pleased to get this one sharp.

 

1/500, f/7.1, ISO 800, Canon 7D Mark II, Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS II USM, not baited, set up or called in

Short-eared Owls hunt primarily on the wing and less often from elevated perches but this one was hunting on the ground. “He” had particular interest in a small brush pile directly in front of him but after watching it carefully for some time he lost interest in it and gave me this over the shoulder pose. It was very early in the morning and he was in the deep shade of a shadow cast by a nearby mountain. I was very close to him, so close I’d removed my teleconverter but he literally ignored me, probably because the relative darkness gave him a sense of security.

The lack of light slowed my shutter speed to the point that I expected many of my images of him to be soft. My shaky hands, caused by essential tremor (especially when I get excited, as I was while I was so close to this owl), cause me to attempt to shoot at higher shutter speeds than most photographers if I have enough light to do it. But this time I didn’t so I was pleasantly surprised when most of my photos of him were sharp to very sharp.

 

Due to mostly unfortunate circumstances involving cloudy weather, wildfire smoke, stupidly high temperatures and minor health issues it’s been a while since I’ve been out shooting so I’ve been posting older photos more often than I usually do (this one was taken in Idaho in June of 2016). Hopefully that will change soon but the forecast for this week doesn’t give me a lot of optimism.

Yes, I’m a little discouraged.

Ron

 

Note: Like Katharine Hepburn I inherited essential tremor from the paternal side of my family. It’s a very common medical condition that sometimes causes head shaking, as it did in Hepburn’s case. Thankfully I don’t have head tremors, it only affects my hands. As you might expect I haven’t eaten soup in public for years… 🙂

 

28 Comments

  1. Mary+Mayshark-Stavely

    So beautiful, thank you. I rarely write and rarely can see your replies when I write so no need but I deeply appreciate seeing your photos and reading your words.
    Merci beaucoup!!

  2. Glad you got out this morning, Ron. If I recall, it’s been a while since a Shortie has graced your lens. Hope you get to see one (or better yet, several) soon!

  3. Love the pink tones on some of the Owl’s feathers. That looks like a full 180º head turn. I keep trying but looks like I’ll need a few more cervical vertebrae.

    It was fascinating to see Hepburn talk, even more so after she developed the neck tremor but still had that strange “accent”.
    Optimism is for sissies. I much prefer to kvetch. Gives me more alone time.🤨

    • “I keep trying but looks like I’ll need a few more cervical vertebrae”

      Seven more to be precise, Lyle. You’ll have to modify your articular processes too – make them smaller. Good luck!

  4. Love your owl shot and new or old it is still a treat. The poor shooting weather and poor atmospheric conditions are affecting so many of us now that, while a common complaint these days that doesn’t begin to describe the frustration we all feel. But what really blows my mind is that you are able to manage so well with this ET condition. Guess it just goes to show that determination and attention to detail like yours can overcome a lot.

    • Thanks, Pat. Thankfully there are usually ways to compensate and for me, when it comes to photography, fast shutter speeds do that pretty well. Most of the time.

  5. Gorgeous bird! Glad you got the shot! I’ve been experiencing some weirdness in my hands lately. Some shaking but more suddenly losing my grip. Lost a favorite coffe cup that way. BUT! The good news is I had already consumed the coffee. 😀

  6. I adore owls – and archived or not this is a stunner. Thank you.
    The eldest of my brothers was recently diagnosed with essential tremour and wondered whether anyone else in the family has it. The dread disease means that I shake often (and worse if I am tired or stressed) but so far the rest of the family have been lucky.
    Reading through the comments I am thrilled that you were able to get out shooting again and look forward to seeing what…

    • EC, my dad had it and I think his dad did too. My sister has it but only slightly. Mine doesn’t bother me a lot but in some situations it can sure be aggravating, especially when I’m nervous or excited.

  7. This shortie is a cutie, right down to those feathery legs! I’m sorry the weather (especially the stinkin’ wildfire smoke) is keeping you indoors yet again, but always happy to see images from your awesome archives.

  8. It is a beautiful owl. I have missed them! I did see one flying out in the distance at BRMBR when I was there a few days ago. May I add the deer flies and biting smaller black flies have been awful too this year.

    • April, as you know, deer flies are particularly bad news for some folks because of allergic reactions. We always bend over backwards to avoid them.

  9. Wonderful little short-eared owl. “His” face looks so attentive and curious! Any owl thrills me.

    I’m grateful to be part of a human generation that lived mostly before the great fires, and all ths chaos that goes along with the anthropocene. It is easy to become discouraged.

  10. Beautiful as always! One question though. Could you have bumped up your ISO a little to buy yourself a stop or two of shutter speed? I try to stay at 800 or less also, but every once in awhile, I’ll push it. Apologies if you’ve already addressed your camera’s ISO limits.

    • I certainly could have Bernie. And I actually did for a few of the shots of this owl. But this photo was sharp and it had less noise than the ones I shot at higher ISO’s so I chose to post this one.

      • Thanks! Go with what works. By the way, it’s also smoky here in Massachusetts from the fires up in Canada.

  11. Everett F Sanborn

    Good sharp photo to start the morning Ron. They are really pretty owls. Have never seen one so really enjoy the many times you have shown them over the years. Sure hope your health and the weather conditions improve for you.

  12. Nice shot! Glad camera setting and tremors cooperated for it! They are SO “cute” tho sure I wouldn’t think so if one got hold of me! 😉

    More fires/smoke/heat here…….

    • We’re having some of our worst smoke of the summer right now, Judy. The sun coming up this morning looked like a giant, intensely red fireball.

  13. Hope you get out soon. The outdoors feeds our souls. I always enjoy being near a wild animal who judges me to be non-threatening. It feels like a compliment.

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