Short eared Owl

[GyRob]

i was at a bombing range today shooting Jets and saw this out the corner of my eye take of from a tree so i swoung the camera round and as llok would have it the camera setting's were just about spot on :)
1dmk3 500f4isL +1.4tc 1/1600 f5.6 iso 500
Rob.

[woody60]

Number 2 does it for me rob , fabulous .

[canonloader]

Nice catch Rob. He looks like he's on his own bombing run. Or, just getting the heck outta there. :)

[philc123]

Stunning shots Rob, 2nd shot is superb. Well captured :)

[StarDog]

2nd for sure need a nice frame! - Bob

[Glenn.B]

Rob, you lucky B***er, what a great picture no 2 is !!!!! you must be very happy:D:D:D

guess you're feeling better about the mkIII ?

[GyRob]

Rob, you lucky B***er, what a great picture no 2 is !!!!! you must be very happy:D:D:D

guess you're feeling better about the mkIII ?
Yes it really was a grab shot.
The mk3 performed today both on single point and rof - A1 servo and 1shot .
On the jets it got most in focus and we are talking about 500 plus shots in bright sunshine 17 degrees C all with the 500f4 many with the 1.4tc attached .

some did have camera shake but were focused -thats me not the camera.
Need another test or 2 But i am starting to get more feel about what it can do and carn't do also what i can and carn't do with it .
Rob.

[IraRunyan]

Very nice!!
He is checking you out in #2.

[Laramie]

Wow...I don't think I've seen a more captivating shot. They eyes just lock on to you.

[pttenn]

Can't believe that second shot. Talk about lucky...and some skill, too!
Karen

[HWP]

Both good but #2 is it for sure> that's a winner!!

Henry

[MicheleRF]

WoW! He's checking you out in that 2nd shot! Very nice shots.

[ajosteve]

What a shot, I love the look....you did really well with that one...steve

[paul_g]

great shots Rob

[dpastern]

Number 2 does it for me rob , fabulous .

Couldn't agree more! Glad you had the settings pretty much right to capture this beauty.

Dave

[Lightstream]

Nice one! The owl almost seems to be giving you the "Who are *YOU* looking at?!?!" look ;)

Great grab shot. Seems there ain't much of a difference in the settings used for metal birds and feathered birds - I find the only difference is that the metal birds are more predictable in their behavior and flightpaths.

[sugarzebra]

Simply wonderful shots Rob.

[dreamline]

Stunning shots Rob. #2 is fantastic.

It's almost a 'How dare you!' look. :D

[busbyea]

Nicely done for a "Grab"...If only I could be so lucky to just see one.

[Gary Fairhead]

I liked the first one but the second is just wonderful...lots of character and terrific wing and head position . I have only ever seen and photographed a Short Eared Owl once and can hardly wait to get another chance. You capitilized nicely on this great opportunity.

[csquared63]

That second one is so awesome I almost want to cheat and add Short-eared Owl to my life list! Great shots.

[Reyno]

Fantastic captures Rob, and the second is simply fantastic.

[Lyall]

Bird in flight shots don't get any better than this. Great job.

[owlboy]

I have only ever seen and photographed a Short Eared Owl once and can hardly wait to get another chance.

If you want to find Short-Eared Owls ("SEO"), then look for Northern Harriers during the daytime. Where you find Northern Harriers, you will find SEO. They often roost in the same tree. Once you have located them, come back 2 hours before sunset to view and shot. You can also see them at sunrise. Their ideal habitiat is a cut field with clear and calm weather. SEO are very shy, so when they see you coming, they fly off to the next field. Bring your big lens, because you are going to need it. Look for large fields with trees surrounding it with lots of mice and voles running around. SEO fly very low to the ground. When they locate prey, they will hoover in place above the prey, and then pounce on the rodent. It is also easy to mistake Northern Harriers for SEO. Just look at the head. It might be too late right now to find them up in Canada, but I could be wrong. Most have probably started their migration into Central USA right now. The real catch is finding a Parliament of owls (large group in one or more trees). Sometimes you can find Northern Harriers, SEO, and LEO all in the same tree. Unfortunately, in North America, we only have small Parliaments. In Europe, Owl Parliaments can be as high as several hundred owls in one tree(s).