Snowy .... finally!

After all the great shots of the Snowy Owls on this forum I was starting to despair of ever seeing one of these despite having one hanging around a local beach that is literally just minutes away from me. Even Ian was down here and got pictures!! I am so far behind everyone that I think that I am first! LOL.

So, hope springing ever eternal, took a drive by the beach today and lo and behold there he was just sunning himself in the small evergreens just off the parking lot, absolutely no one else around. Here are two profile shots, one with the 5d 500mm plus x2 extender and the 70-200mm with the same x2 extender for the other side.

Comments and suggestions always welcome.


5D + 500mm X2 extender.

IMAGE LINK: http://smg.photobucket​.com …LwrnctwnBeach--3.jpg.html

IMAGE LINK: http://smg.photobucket​.com …wlLwrnctwnBeach​-.jpg.html

Well, congratulations John! I was hoping seeing my single far-off shot would inspire you to get over there and see him and get some good shots, and these are great! Did you post these on Facebook on the NSBS site too? I read an almost identical story with similar shots there today. This poor fellow has been generating a fair bit of attention, from people chasing the poor thing all over the place, to within 15-20 feet with a short lens trying to get a picture of him. He finally flies off and finds a more peaceful spot, where no photographer can get any shot at all. Glad you had your long lens and extender on to give him some space, while still getting wonderful shots. After this Wednesday's megablizzard that's on its way, I wonder if it'll inspire him to stay a bit longer, or to make that his trigger to head back home. So was he located on the opposite side of the road from the beach, or in the strip between the road and the parking lot?

Congrats and nice shots John! I was fortunate to get my first this year also.

Congrats and good for you John, well done.

Oh, well done! I must live in the only Maryland county NOT to have hosted a Snowy this winter.

Well done John, & congrats on your first.

Wallace River wrote in post #16782778
Well, congratulations John! I was hoping seeing my single far-off shot would inspire you to get over there and see him and get some good shots, and these are great! Did you post these on Facebook on the NSBS site too? I read an almost identical story with similar shots there today. This poor fellow has been generating a fair bit of attention, from people chasing the poor thing all over the place, to within 15-20 feet with a short lens trying to get a picture of him. He finally flies off and finds a more peaceful spot, where no photographer can get any shot at all. Glad you had your long lens and extender on to give him some space, while still getting wonderful shots. After this Wednesday's megablizzard that's on its way, I wonder if it'll inspire him to stay a bit longer, or to make that his trigger to head back home. So was he located on the opposite side of the road from the beach, or in the strip between the road and the parking lot?

Thanks Ian, yes I did post one on the NS Bird society FB page. He was located between the road and the parking lot, in some evergreens about 2 feet off of the parking lot facing away from the ocean. I could not believe when I pulled into the lot that he was there! There was a man from Hope for Wildlife that pulled in while I was shooting and we talked a bit. Evidently there were two, but one was doing poorly so they (Hope for Wildlife) captured it to nurse it back to health. This one did not seem the least bit worried that I was there, but I was a fair piece away. I did read about the going's on on the FB page, which was why I went back, I thought that it would have departed long ago and I am glad I did.

Grizz wrote in post #16782787
Congrats and nice shots John! I was fortunate to get my first this year also.

I was down to that location several times and did not see a thing, even though everyone was reporting it. Glad I tried one more time.

budcam wrote in post #16782844
Congrats and good for you John, well done.

nwyman wrote in post #16782888
Oh, well done! I must live in the only Maryland county NOT to have hosted a Snowy this winter.

I feel for you. Perhaps you could do a road trip up here! Maybe this guy will hang around for a bit. LOL

Congrats John.

Congrats and well done John.

That's awesome John! Congrats on finding him, you must be thrilled. I noticed you mentioned 'Hope for Wildlife', I love that show, watch it every week... Hope is an amazing person & I love what she does...