Owl Festival Reminder

[gymell]

Just wanted to let y'all know that registration is now open for the International Festival of Owls (http://www.festivalofowls.com/) held in Houston, MN. You can register online (https://secure.getmeregistered.com/get_information.php?event_id=2135) for one of three photography sessions. I went last year and found it a great opportunity to get close to several species of owl. The handlers do a really good job of working with the photographers and providing pleasing perches and backgrounds for nice results. They charge $75 for a session but it's well worth it and the money raised goes to support the raptor organizations involved. It's a win-win for photographers and owls! I just registered for the 10:00 session.

http://www.pbase.com/gymell/image/93689900/original.jpg

[gymell]

Er, that would be "reminder!"

[Kevin]

We knew what you thought you said;)

[andrewhuxman]

I just signed up for session #2 the 10:00am :)

[gymell]

Cool, see you there!

[jmik26]

Me and my cousin will be there for session 3, can't wait!

Liz, the picture that you posted @ 285mm is that cropped at all? Trying to get an idea of how close we can get? Any pointers? Flash allowed? Chance for Owls In Flight? Thanks...Jeff

[gymell]

Me and my cousin will be there for session 3, can't wait!

Liz, the picture that you posted @ 285mm is that cropped at all? Trying to get an idea of how close we can get? Any pointers? Flash allowed? Chance for Owls In Flight? Thanks...Jeff

Cool! I don't believe I cropped that shot. You can get quite close. That's why I used the 100-400, because of the huge variation in size of the owls, from a giant Eurasian eagle owl to a tiny adorable saw-whet owl. I think the 100-400 is perfect for this situation. You can use flash as well. The day I went it was pretty dark and cloudy, so I used flash for all of my shots and so did most of the other photographers. You can bring a tripod if you want. Last year they had two European species, the eagle owl and the tawny owl (in the photo above.) Also a couple of great horned owls, a gray and a red screech owl, barn owl, barred owl (they had one in a tree and one perched) and a saw-whet owl. They will only have the saw-whet and barn owls out if it's warm enough - and based on how the winter has gone so far, I'm guessing they won't be out. I thought I read somewhere that they *might* have a snowy owl. I don't believe there will be any flight opportunities, at least there weren't last year.

Hope that helps!

[jmik26]

Hope that helps!

Sure did, thanks, I can't wait...Jeff

[andrewhuxman]

2 weeks away....should be a good time.

[gymell]

Yup, it's coming up quick!

[jmik26]

I'm Praying for 30+ degree weather and sun :lol:...Jeff

[gymell]

Last year it was maybe around 30 degrees, but cloudy and kind of dark. I used fill flash and it turned out ok.

[Sean]

Ah, boo. I can't make it. I'll have to bookmark this page, and attend next year. Thanks for the link.

[gymell]

Well, to those of you who are going to the photography session, it looks like they will only have 4 species there this year. Last year there were 7 or 8 species, but the recent festival email update says there will be 4. I'm bummed that we won't get to photograph a snowy owl. I asked Karla about it and she said it was always a big "if" as to whether we'd have the snowy. For whatever reason the training didn't work out to allow it to be there. I guess it has to be a pretty special bird that will sit calmly and pose with all the commotion going on. Anyway, it will still be fun and the proceeds go to a good cause!

[andrewhuxman]

Thats a bit of a bummer bout the number of birds but.... no worries still will be fun to get shots of those 4. I am excited. Long range forecast 73% cloud cover, 38% chance of snow showers, high of 40 low 28...... but thats a long range. Im sure it will change.

[andrewhuxman]

Weather not looking good for the photo shoot.. but conditions like these is what makes us better photogs.

[gymell]

Yeah, it will be a challenge but I'm sure it will be fun!

[jmik26]

Just got a email saying the owl festival next year will be March 5-7 2010. Its on my schedule. It was a excellent photo opportunity! Best of all it goes towards a good cause. Some threads below from POTN member that attended... Jeff

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=658591&highlight=OWL
http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=659199&highlight=OWL
http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=658523&highlight=OWL
http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=658518&highlight=OWL

[gymell]

Yup, I'll be planning to attend. They do a great job there and it's a win-win for photographers and raptor organizations. I'm pushing hard for the MN Raptor Center to do something similar.

[andrewhuxman]

Yup, I'll be planning to attend. They do a great job there and it's a win-win for photographers and raptor organizations. I'm pushing hard for the MN Raptor Center to do something similar.

Thats awesome , we will be there as well. Waiting for the dates on the MN Raptor festival:D