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<\/p>\nMany species just don’t look good in very low light but I think Short-eared Owls can be an exception, probably because their contrasting markings make them stand out so well.<\/p>\n
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1\/640, f\/6.3, ISO 800, Canon 7D Mark II, Canon EF 500mm f\/4L IS II USM, not baited, set up or called in<\/em><\/p>\n I photographed this handsome owl in the summer of 2016 in southwest Montana near the Continental Divide. It was early morning and though the sun had recently risen the bird was in deep shade from a nearby mountain. As you can see from my camera settings I was struggling for shutter speed and I was worried about depth of field but I was close to the owl so I removed my teleconverter which helped with both potential issues.<\/p>\n I was surprised by how unconcerned the owl was with my presence. I think the fact that it was in deep shade made the bird feel more safe so it went about its business which at the moment was searching for breakfast. Just before this photo was taken the owl had been scouring the pile of twigs at lower left for potential prey.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n 1\/800, f\/6.3, ISO 800, Canon 7D Mark II, Canon EF 500mm f\/4L IS II USM, not baited, set up or called in<\/em><\/p>\n When the owl eventually took off it did so away from me but I was so close I had no chance to avoid cutting off body parts anyway.<\/p>\n But it didn’t go far.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n 1\/320, f\/6.3, ISO 800, Canon 7D Mark II, Canon EF 500mm + EF 1.4 III Extender, f\/4L IS II USM, not baited, set up or called in<\/em><\/p>\n It only flew a few feet and landed on a slightly elevated perch to hunt some more. But I’ve always been disappointed that it landed so close to the human debris at lower left (I can’t remember what it was but it’s ugly).<\/p>\n The owl seems to be looking on in disapproval too.<\/p>\n Ron<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Many species just don’t look good in very low light but I think Short-eared Owls can be an exception, probably because their contrasting markings make them stand out so well.<\/p>\n\n
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