Great Horned Owl, My First!

Today was a case of just get the shot...I was driving through a nature park and not having too much luck at finding anything until I was about to leave. I was totally surprised when I saw a Great Horned Owl pearched on a branch. He was in the most unfavorable lighting imaginable. A high bright afternoon and overhead Florida Sun. I took several shots of this guy but never could get a unubstructed shot of him. I am HAPPY!! that I even saw one of these as it was on my list of birds to photograph. Now that I know where to find this one, I will try an earlier time to see if I can get a more favorable light. So for now, Iwill keep looking, but I am satisfied that I even saw this one in the wild! The second shot is slightly cropped.

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Despite the unfavorable light, these are really nice. Congratulations on the capture.

good shots given conditions.....look at those eyes in #1!

and that expression in #2, priceless....

Congratulations on this find and nice captures Keith. He/she looks wide awake in the first and a little dozy in the second Very nice!

Wow! You got lucky, AND took some very nice shots. Great detail on both. In the second one, it looks like he's feeling that oppressive heat and sun! Congrats on your first, that is very exciting, especially with owls.

kr88 wrote in post #2097942
Today was a case of just get the shot...I was driving through a nature park and not having too much luck at finding anything until I was about to leave. I was totally surprised when I saw a Great Horned Owl pearched on a branch. He was in the most unfavorable lighting imaginable. A high bright afternoon and overhead Florida Sun. I took several shots of this guy but never could get a unubstructed shot of him. I am HAPPY!! that I even saw one of these as it was on my list of birds to photograph. Now that I know where to find this one, I will try an earlier time to see if I can get a more favorable light. So for now, Iwill keep looking, but I am satisfied that I even saw this one in the wild! The second shot is slightly cropped.

Thanks for looking!

Nice captures of this Great Horned Owl. We have ready access to this owl up where I live and sometimes don't realize how fortunate we are because many people don't get the same opportunity. Hope you remember the spot you photographed it at because it may be still be there in the coming days.

Had planned to photograph an Eastern Screech Owl in Montreal this past weekend. Was there on family related matters but received a tip that an Eastern Screech Owl was roosting in one of the parks. Unfortunately the owl was nowhere to be seen. How's that for timing? No complaints, as the weather was just awesome and great just to be outdoors. I've never seen an Eastern Screech Owl in person so I'll look forward to another opportunity down the road.

Nice job Keith... They are also on my list to photograph.

Hi Keith,
good capture, these guys are hard enough to shoot, never mind in Florida sun, as if they are not shaded enough. I like #2 best, for the pose and look, good luck with the search for next time.
Regards,
Clare

Very nice shots indeed.

Great capture Keith and congrats in getting this one on your list. Under these conditions you nailed good details.
Under the Florida sun is definitely hotter than UK, I went from 90F to 51F the following day in the UK.

Gary Fairhead wrote in post #2098159
Congratulations on this find and nice captures Keith. He/she looks wide awake in the first and a little dozy in the second Very nice!

He was dozing off when I approached, it was about 1PM, and he did let out a yawn, by the time I changed positions to try and get a better angle he was wide awake.....Thanks for the comment Gary!

ngannet wrote in post #2098176
Wow! You got lucky, AND took some very nice shots. Great detail on both. In the second one, it looks like he's feeling that oppressive heat and sun! Congrats on your first, that is very exciting, especially with owls.

Yes, I was lucky to find this guy, I went looking for him and my time was winding down as my son gets out of school at 2PM. I spotted him a little after one and had to shoot fast. The area is really huge and I could spend the entire day there and get lost... I hope to find him again with some better lighting conditions, Thanks Bob for the comments!

Many thanks to all who have looked and commented, finding this guy was a thrill!

What a great find Keith ! I have yet to see one in the wild myself . Both shots are great , but the second is my favorite.

Congrats Keith on your first and great captures.

Nice shots...doesn't it seem like the twig blurred coming out of his right arm/wing/shoulder gives the illusion that he's leaning on the tree, especially with that expression...great images

Congrats on adding this owl to your list and in a very captivating way. I really like the first even with backlighting. Just trips my trigger, well done Keith.

Zip