Owl on a Stick/ NHO walkaround

WOW , what a superb series of shots.
You`ve done it again Gary,well done mate,Bravo.

Nice pics Gary...

Fantastic Captures, Very sharp series. Well done on these.

really great series.the title sums it up perfectly.i too am suprised it would let you get directly under it.

Thanks Stacie ( these birds are very wild and don't know better so they are easier to get closer to...same thing last winter with Great Grey Owls, many of whome were killed or injured by passing cars ). And I think Dennis ( Dancinec)makes a good point in that its so cold that to move for any reason other than to capture food would cause the Owl to lose heat/energy. Most of the time, he just ignored my presence. When I left he was still in the tree.

Thanks to Alan, Paul, Padarren, Troy and Blue for looking and commenting.

Thanks for looking and commenting and especially for the information on what allows these wonderful birds to contorte their head/neck the way they do. Quite an adaption.

Thanks Dennis and Poggi.

Yeah, it looks rather uncomfortable. I have seen the branch since and there is a small bend/branch at 90 degrees at the top so he did have a tiny horizontal perch. Thanks N.

See my answer to Stacie on why I think he let me do a walk around without taking off. Thanks for looking and commenting Rebel.

Way ahead of you...the Hoya BD filter ( you didn't know they made a bird dropping filter did you?) is firmly attached and the wind was in my favour Thanks Mitcon

I have to think that he is moving quite a bit within the area Marc. I know they some times take small birds but with rodents being the staple i am wondering how the crust of ice all over the snow from the freezing rain last week may have affected its hunting. The snowys have some weight and power to break the layer if needed but I an not sure how the Northern handles this type of environment. Thanks for the comments Marc and yeah some of the poses are pretty funny

Excellent series Gary;
You've presented them beautifuly too.

And finally

Thank you racketman, Dimitri, reewickand Bald Eagle.

Jeff, I tried answering your surprise shared by others in my first answer to Stacie. See that answer for my thoughts on why he didn't scare off...first time I saw him at beginning of December he was not skitish then either. Thanks for looking and commenting.

Thanks Ted......much appreciated.

Very nice Gary. I've just picked up a Sigma DG Super 500 flash in New York on the weekend I'm ready for fill flash. Unfortunately B&H do not stock the "Beamer" so I'll have to look elsewhere.

I will be doing the same in the near future. Thanks for looking and commenting Stephen.

Outstanding series, Gary. I really admire your work, and that of your friends in Ottawa.

Thanks so much Stan. The guys are pretty focusedYes that pun was intended. There is quite a bit of knowledge in the group but if it wasn't for birds, photography and this forum its likely we would never have crossed paths. Other than Ted ( Busbeya) I met the other guys at Petrie island looking for the same opportunities.All in less than a year.

On the subject of Owls though.......I would love to get some shots of Burrowing Owls like you presented a few days ago. If i ever go to Florida I will e-mail you for directions to that litttle oasis ( but that could be years down the road,,,hope their habitat is protected)

Thanks again for looking and commenting.