Great Grey Owl........DUCK! (7 images)

[IanD]

Photographing these owls is the same as taking drugs...more...more...more! :)
I decided to take a fast run over to Ile Bizard this afternoon to see how Sally and friends were doing. Sally wasn't around but I ran accross Mikey looking for an afternoon snack.
He was sitting in a tree about 30 feet from me and suddenly dove into the field.....

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He had caught a mouse and decided to eat it on the ground. He then proceeded to take off and started flying right towards me!

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I just kept on shooting, praying that the AF was tracking :) :)

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It was very apparent that he didn't see me (I was wearing camo) or he didn't care...

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I thought that I might have to duck!

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He finally landed in a tree right over my head. I had to crouch to get the next two shots casue he was too close for the AF to work :) :)

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MKII with 400 f/5.6

I know that I've blown the maximum images per post rule but I'm so damn excited. Mods can flog me :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :)
*edit* All images are full frame.

[ssim]

These are just freakin amazing man. Congratulations. They are just breathtaking.

These are way better than what I saw in this months National Geographic.

I shoulda come with you when you called.http://www.photography-on-the.net/forum/images/smilies/icon_cry.gif

I can't say enough about these.http://www.photography-on-the.net/forum/images/smilies/icon_biggrin.gifhttp://www.photography-on-the.net/forum/images/smilies/icon_biggrin.gifhttp://www.photography-on-the.net/forum/images/smilies/icon_biggrin.gifhttp://www.photography-on-the.net/forum/images/smilies/icon_biggrin.gifhttp://www.photography-on-the.net/forum/images/smilies/icon_biggrin.gif

[gramps]

WOW

[tommykjensen]

WOW ! Fantastic photos. With all Your photos of the owls You really got me interested, I am trying to find out where in Denmark there is a chance I can find owls out in the nature.

[Maz]

Those are just simply amazing. Congratulations!!!
Maz
http://www.homesteadsforsale.com

[jaypie77]

Those are inspirational shots.

Do you suppose that wearing camo is really worthwhile for good wildlife photography?

[Alan B]

haha and theres me thinking,where's this "Duck" pic then - Duh silly me :rolleyes:

Amazing shots :cool: :cool: :cool:

Alan

[IanD]

Those are inspirational shots.

Do you suppose that wearing camo is really worthwhile for good wildlife photography?
As long as it is not hunting season and you do not mind the funny looks folks will give you as they pass by, then yes, camo will help. Move quietly, look around a lot and try not to make any noise. I often carry a large piece of camo netting to drap over me, sort of a instant blind.

[Scottes]

You're just trying to tease me.

You're succeeding.


<cough><cough> I feel <cough> sick. <hack><sniffle> I might <cough> not make it <hackhack> into work <sniffle> for a while.... :wink:


Dude, these are amazing. Unreal amazing. Simply amazing.

[Belmondo]

I hate to use terms like amazing and awesome because, frankly, they're overused. In this case they are not adequate.

I'll bet you're still giggling.

Which lens?

[ssim]

I had the opportunity to speak to Ian this afternoon as he had finished with the owls. Talk about someone on a high and rightly so. I know that the words awesome, amazing, etc are often overused here but in this case they are most worthy of the images.

[IanD]

I hate to use terms like amazing and awesome because, frankly, they're overused. In this case they are not adequate.

I'll bet you're still giggling.

Which lens?
Still giggling I am. The lens used was a special Canon 400 f/5.6 that was cured for a while in the California desert.:):):):):)

[Tom W]

Absolutely great images.

[RockOne]

These are absolutely stunning. Now you've just got to work out how your going to top them (if its possible :-) ).

"praying that the AF was tracking"

Looks like somebody heard your prayers :-) !

[RockOne]

Quit your dayjob...National Geographic NEEDS you !!.

I think I'm off to the hospital now to have my eyeballs put back in place :-) :-) :-)

Oh and did you have amouse tied to your hat ?? :-) :-)

[Fer]

I am speechless!. Everytime I see a pic of yours... breathtaking!

[PacAce]

Magnificent! Outstanding! Mind bogling! I just can't find that one word I'm looking for to discribe these incredible shots! :shock: :shock: :shock:

I bet shooting geese and ducks will never be the same again after these several days of capturing the splendor of the GGOs, eh! :confused:

BTW, Ian, the last pictures, it's so, so.....you! :mrgreen: :lol:

[IanD]

Thanks for the kind words folks. Today was with out a doubt one of the most thrilling days afield I've ever experienced. Even though I watch this owl for 15-20 minutes, the sequence happened in less than 30 seconds. It was totally awesome to have the viewfinder full of owl feathers. For the briefest of seconds I really thought that I would have an owl sitting on the end of the 400. Having him perch right above me and having to kneel to get AF to work, shooting vertical on the last 2 images was over the top. Will it happen again? God, I hope so. I'll be heading back tomorrow and probably every day until Sally, Henry, and the others decide to head back up north.

[stoneylonesome]

OH MY GOD!!! Talk about raising the bar for the rest of us. Hell I think I'll just hang the camera up for a while. I can't believe how close he came. course 400mm helps a little :lol: :lol: Just Fantastic. I really think you could sell those to anyone of the nature magizines out there. :)

[TammieO]

Great series of pics!I bet your heart was pounding as that owl fly at you. He has sharp toenails.

[Scottes]

They're still amazing.

[pcasciola]

WOW!!!!

[LazyPhotographer]

Unbelieveable... outstanding images and a superb experience! Congratulations!

[Mills]

Holy Cr*p. Unreal. I almost ducked!

[boomer1959]

Holy!!!!!!!!!! These are awsome shots :D

[iowahawkeye6]

Quality shots as everyone has commented on.
I had a great horned owl encounter in northern Minnesota very similar to this only I did not have my camera. What I remeber the most is that I could not her the owl as he/she flew directly above me and weaved in and out of the trees. Truely a killer sight.

[PhotosGuy]

Really great shots, Ian!

[Moppie]

http://thesaurus.reference.com/search?q=amazing :eek:

[RbnDave]

Ian,

Looks like you really nailed it this time. The forth shot, the one where the owls wings clip out the edge of the frame, is perfect! The snow flakes trailing behind the owl, the big yellow eyes, the slightly blurred wings... It's an amazing picture. That photo needs to be hung in your living room.

Cograts!!

Too bad Sheldon had to work.

Get some more photos this weekend. I can't wait to see what you guys come up with.

Dave

[blueskybutterfly]

WOW beautiful :)

[Reigh Higgins]

Greaaaaaaaaaaat Shots! Unbelievable!

[ssim]

Too bad Sheldon had to work

Now that's the understatement of the day:cry: :cry: :cry:

[RJSorensen]

Great shots . . . lucky duck.

[jmjmotorsport]

I just don't have luck like this.. I've been trying to capture a shot of a Gilded Owl here in VA at a local nature center. No luck though.. I've also been chasing some sort of hawk that I see at the exact same place every day about 12 noon. He never lets me get a good shot though. I need a hide and some patience.

[thomascanty]

Now those are some closeups! Good catch. You were in the right place at the right time.

[Scottes]

6th visit, still stunned.


jmjmsports - It's not luck you need. Patience, as you say, camo, and a bit of skill at moving & tracking. Have you checked out the Wildlife Tips in the Photography forum? Lots of good tips.

[PacAce]

6th visit, still stunned.


jmjmsports - It's not luck you need. Patience, as you say, camo, and a bit of skill at moving & tracking. Have you checked out the Wildlife Tips in the Photography forum? Lots of good tips.

If you ask me, it's all all that poutine bits and gravy spread all over the lens and camera. You know owls, especially the Great Gray Owls, just can't resist them. That's why they migrated south to Montreal from farther up north. :mrgreen:

[IanD]

If you ask me, it's all all that poutine bits and gravy spread all over the lens and camera. You know owls, especially the Great Gray Owls, just can't resist them. That's why they migrated south to Montreal from farther up north. :mrgreen:
Geez Leo,
You just went and told my secret on the whole interweb!:):):):):):):):):)

[jmjmotorsport]

jmjmsports - It's not luck you need. Patience, as you say, camo, and a bit of skill at moving & tracking. Have you checked out the Wildlife Tips in the Photography forum? Lots of good tips.

I looked at it briefly but perhaps I'll give it better looking over. The owl I just haven't been able to find. The hawk and I seem to play a game. He'll let me get relatively close to him and as soon as I do, he turns his back.. or moves to another tree and obscures himself behind branches that ruin the shot. One day he'll be in a good mood and let me have a nice shot.:D

[Scottes]

Remember that predator birds have less peripheral vision than prey birds. When the hawk is looking away from you that's a good time to move forward. Just remember that predator birds usually have excellent eyesight - they'll see you a long time before you see them!

[marie]

http://www.photography-on-the.net/forum/images/smilies/icon_eek.gif

aabsolutely stunning shots Ian.

beautiful



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