Snowy Owl

I have been trying for years without success to capture images of a Snowy Owl. I have seen them in the past and they are usually so far off in the distance that they look like one of those little tiny marshmallows that you get in a packet of instant hot chocolate.

Today was different though and thanks to a tip from a friend that lives on the coast I finally got to see one up close and personal in some great natural habitat. This was very exciting for me.

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Those are some beauties! Congrats on finding one!

Terrific images, congrats!

Good stuff.

Very nice!

Congratulations and great shots.

Great set.

{jealous...}

Nice shots!

Really some nice photo'. I can't wait for my day to get those shots. Great job!!

jcrane wrote in post #17816841
Really some nice photo'. I can't wait for my day to get those shots. Great job!!

Thank you one and all. I had to wait many years to get the opportunity to get these images. Back in the early 80's I was shooting with a Canon AE1 and a Canon 200mm lens. Back then I was living in East Boston, MA and it was not uncommon to see Snowy Owls around the perimeter (far off in the distance) of Logan Airport. Well, one day my friend and I went to the Belle Isle Marsh (not far from the airport) in search of Snowy Owls. We climbed to the top of an observation tower deck there and as soon as we poked our heads out to look around we saw a huge Snowy on the branch of a very young tree. I remember being amazed that the branch was holding him without bending.

So, we quickly opened our bags and got out our cameras. When we looked out again though it was gone and we looked around and there it was soaring about a foot off of the ground and headed right at our position; when it was within a few feet of the base of the tower it pulled up sharply and came right up to our level and for a couple of seconds we were face to face with it; no more than three feet from us. it was still in mid flight and was probably going to land on the rail of the deck, but when it saw us it was startled and quickly veered off and flew far off from us.

That was the last time I ever got close enough to one to get a decent image; until this past week. This was so exciting for me.

All very nice shots, congratulations!

Excellent stuff Paul, I'm really happy for you. I'd be thrilled to see one and get shots like these.

Awesome shots!

Congratulations. Excellent shots. Me I am still waiting for my first.

Very nice captures; a difficult bird to shoot for sure!