Search for a rare Great Gray Owl (Success!)

[dialdn]

I just got back from a driving search for the rare beauties. The typically do not come this far south (Ottawa, Ontario) but I had heard they were here this winter. I was out yesterday searching and found one but was too far and it flew away before I could get close. I was out again today and headed to the same area and after another 15 minutes of driving I found this one. It was maybe 500 feet from the road in a tree between 2 farm fields. I was able to get so close it worried me. They don't see humans much so are pretty tame. I was almost under the branch when I took these pics. These birds are HUGE! and can reach a 5 foot wingspan.

I have never been that close to a wild owl. I plan to head out again tomorrow and see what luck I will have.

All pics are with a 70-200 (2.8 non-IS) at 200 mm. Man I need a 400!

Enjoy!

http://photos.mikehendley.com/forum/owl/CRW_2202.jpg

http://photos.mikehendley.com/forum/owl/CRW_2218.jpg

[tommykjensen]

Nice shots.

[PacAce]

Man, those are awesome shots! :shock: I'm just amazed that you were able to find them at all considering how its plummage just blends in with the tree trunk and branches.

What time were these taken at?

[boomer1959]

Very good shots Mike :D

[dialdn]

Thanks everyone.

Shots were taken at 2:15 EST. I was battling some clouds at the time.

Yes, they blend very well. However, at around 24" to 30" tall, this bulk of a bird stands out in the tree for us humans :-)

D

[sparker1]

Congrats on finding the owl, and for your great shots. Use those to justify the expens of a 400mm.

[PacAce]

Where in Ottawa did you go to get those shots? Just curious.

[dialdn]

I live in Carp (West Ottawa) and travelled to an area outside of Kinburn (between Carp proper and Arnprior). There was a short segment on the news and that rough area is where they were. It took me about an hour to find him. I can provide some details (at a price) if anyone is in the area and are looking to find them.

BTW, the owls are only rumoured to come down this far in these numbers a couple of times in our lifetime. It happens supposedly when food runs out in the boreal forest.

[dialdn]

Here's one more. I printed this one 8" by 10" and it looks like a tree with eyes until you look more closely :)

BTW, there was another reason for my mission. I recently did my first B&W conversion for a chickadee photo I took via the old
"pencil and paper filter" :) It was a gift for my wife's b-day (I can post the scan if interested). I am anxious to draw this owl after I finish the blue jay I am working on!

http://photos.mikehendley.com/forum/owl/CRW_2214.jpg

[Bruce Watson]

Very nice! You should see if the Citizen, Sun or one of the local tv stations wants to run these, they are fantastic quality.

[dialdn]

Thank you!

I submitted them and we will see who bites :-)

BTW, I sent some photos of my pond at night back in December to a local TV station in December (CJOH) and they did the weather from here last Friday. Sometimes things just click.

D

[RockOne]

These pictures are a hoot :-). His colours in the tree would have made him hard to see. Well done !

[dispatchermike21]

Very Very nice.

[cmM]

wow!

that's all I can say.

[blevine15]

F A N T A S T I C !!!!!

Thanks for sharing those fabulous images.

What settings & gear did you use?

Regards,

Bob

[CyberDyneSystems]

Absolutely fabulous!

What a wonderfull set of images of a majestic creature!
Thanks for posting.. these are wonderfull.

[Scottes]

Nice! (again). The second one is simply great.


I drove up to Montreal and was driving through Vermont in a mix of sleet & snow. Then a snowy owl flew by, and I almost drove off the road watching it fly by...

[C.S.I.]

Man that bird is evil looking. I wouldve locked myself in the car if I came across him. Good job!

[Ed Rotberg]

Terrific photos! Youd did just great with the 70-200. I'd love to see one of these guys in the wild sometime. I'd love to see one hunt.

= Ed =

[Khaja]

Very nice!!

Khaja