My first attempt at Birding... lol

[Todd Lambert]

I don't know what all the fuss is - everyone says that birding is hard - Pffffttt! :p

Was in a new spot that I've been visiting a lot lately.. it's an abandoned manufacturing warehouse which is very cool. A few trips back, I was quite startled when a giant owl flew out suddenly from a perch in a room I was entering - scared the crap out of me.

Anyways, back to today, was walking through the same area and suddenly felt that someone was watching me - turned around and found the same owl, sitting on the ground cooling himself in a puddle. Ha!

http://lambertphotography.com/forums/CRW_6839.jpg

http://lambertphotography.com/forums/CRW_6847.jpg

http://lambertphotography.com/forums/CRW_6876.jpg

http://lambertphotography.com/forums/CRW_6885.jpg

http://lambertphotography.com/forums/CRW_6892.jpg

http://lambertphotography.com/forums/CRW_6908.jpg

http://lambertphotography.com/forums/CRW_6920.jpg

[jgrussell]

Very cool shots!! Great catch.

[Todd Lambert]

Thank you! I've never really done anything bird-related before and this kinda fell into my lap. He was a very forgiving soul, and was extremely patient as I snapped my shots. I eventually left him to be, as I didn't want to disturb him too much and I felt like I got enough shots to do him justice.

[Mchu86]

Haha, the expression is just hilarious. I love the 4th one!! The composition and the positioning of the owl makes it look like he/she is standing his/her ground, staring down at you, saying, "You...looking...at me? This is my place...and there's only room for one of us..."

Great capture!!

[Ferris Wheel]

love number 4 though they are all great!

[nightcat]

Nice shots! Looks like he just smoked something illegal.

[artyman]

Nice set of shots

[scrumpy]

Your lucky day - great series, well done!

[rumplepigskin]

great shots but admit it... you drugged the bird right???lol he looks stoned

[Todd Lambert]

LOL - I know!

I thought he was hurt or something, since he did not move. I literally almost stumbled over him. I was able to get several feet from him, and his eyes would open a bit and then close again when he figured out I wasn't trying to mess with him. He even let me use the Flash.

I looked him up - I think he is a great horned owl, and from what I read, it's not uncommon for them to be found sitting on the ground, so I think he was fine. As I said, I had seen him a few days before.

[GregMik]

The first one you saw was prolly one of the parents. This is a juvenile that has just left the nest. He doesn't have any fear of anything yet. Juvi's like this are usually found on the ground. His parents are still taking care of him. I get calls often this time of yr about young Great Horned Owls.

Greg

[Todd Lambert]

Ah, interesting, Greg... He's pretty big, for a juvenile though... I mean he's probably a foot tall and I would guess, several pounds.

Either way, I'll be sure to keep an eye out for this guy or his parents next time - as I said, I frequent this warehouse quite a bit. I heard that these owls don't have their own nests, but rather take over others nests instead. I imagine their nest is somewhere in the warehouse as it is quite tall with tons of crossbeams and whatnot. I'll definitely be keeping an eye above now...

[Todd Lambert]

I'm very bummed out. I went back to this location - it's been about two and half weeks since I took these photos, only to find that the Owl above is dead. http://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/emoticons/sad.gif

Apparently, he must have been sick when I was taking these photos (I had thought he might be sick, since I got very very close and he did not seem worried) From the decomp, I think he died not too long after these shots.

Anyways, I feel bummed.

[davebreal]

I'm very bummed out. I went back to this location - it's been about two and half weeks since I took these photos, only to find that the Owl above is dead. http://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/emoticons/sad.gif

Apparently, he must have been sick when I was taking these photos (I had thought he might be sick, since I got very very close and he did not seem worried) From the decomp, I think he died not too long after these shots.

Anyways, I feel bummed.

What can you do Todd? The bird appears healthy in the photos so I'm not sure that I would have reported to any rehab centers initially either.

[GregMik]

I know it sucks....But what else could you have done? Life is hard in the real world.

Greg

[Ken Nielsen]

I've noticed that by taking pictures of birds, that they start to become more familiar. I even have developed more of an interest in preserving wildlife areas. In short, I feel more protective over birds and wildlife in general; These are living creatures with busy lives that we can be impressed with. I think it is sad too when one of these beautiful unique creatures passes on. I sympathize with you over the loss loss of this owl.

Ken

[jgrussell]

I'm very bummed out. I went back to this location - it's been about two and half weeks since I took these photos, only to find that the Owl above is dead. http://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/emoticons/sad.gifAwww... that's sad. It happens though. And there's not a thing you could have done about it.

[Nighthound]

Very sad to hear this. I know too well how possible it is to feel an attachment to young birds we're fortunate enough to observe and photograph. Spending many hours in the rookeries watching the entire breeding, laying, hatching and fledging process year after year is both incredibly beautiful and at times very cruel and hard to accept. Watching a sibling bird brutally attack, oust and eventually starve to death it's nest mate is disturbing but sadly it's very necessary. Your Owl like the victims I mention were not destined or "selected" to carry on the blood line for unseen reasons. The stronger healthier young are much more likely to survive to return, nest and start the process again. It's always interesting to see the steps nature takes to stack the odds for survival of the species in its favor.

[Ken Nielsen]

Eww, Ick. Sorry, I just got back from a walk by the wetland this morning and saw a Heron gobbling down live baby ducks. The parents were understandably horrified and angry but there was little they could do. The Heron was just like Jabba the Hut!

More reality that goes on every day, unnoticed by the world.

[Todd Lambert]

Lol, Ken.. that's quite a visual.. .thanks! 8-)