Search for a rare Great Gray Owl (Success!)

I just got back from a driving search for the rare beauties. The typically do not come this far south (Ottawa, Ontario) but I had heard they were here this winter. I was out yesterday searching and found one but was too far and it flew away before I could get close. I was out again today and headed to the same area and after another 15 minutes of driving I found this one. It was maybe 500 feet from the road in a tree between 2 farm fields. I was able to get so close it worried me. They don't see humans much so are pretty tame. I was almost under the branch when I took these pics. These birds are HUGE! and can reach a 5 foot wingspan.

I have never been that close to a wild owl. I plan to head out again tomorrow and see what luck I will have.

All pics are with a 70-200 (2.8 non-IS) at 200 mm. Man I need a 400!

Enjoy!

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Nice shots.

Man, those are awesome shots! I'm just amazed that you were able to find them at all considering how its plummage just blends in with the tree trunk and branches.

What time were these taken at?

Very good shots Mike

Thanks everyone.

Shots were taken at 2:15 EST. I was battling some clouds at the time.

Yes, they blend very well. However, at around 24" to 30" tall, this bulk of a bird stands out in the tree for us humans

D

Congrats on finding the owl, and for your great shots. Use those to justify the expens of a 400mm.

Where in Ottawa did you go to get those shots? Just curious.

I live in Carp (West Ottawa) and travelled to an area outside of Kinburn (between Carp proper and Arnprior). There was a short segment on the news and that rough area is where they were. It took me about an hour to find him. I can provide some details (at a price) if anyone is in the area and are looking to find them.

BTW, the owls are only rumoured to come down this far in these numbers a couple of times in our lifetime. It happens supposedly when food runs out in the boreal forest.

Here's one more. I printed this one 8" by 10" and it looks like a tree with eyes until you look more closely

BTW, there was another reason for my mission. I recently did my first B&W conversion for a chickadee photo I took via the old
"pencil and paper filter" It was a gift for my wife's b-day (I can post the scan if interested). I am anxious to draw this owl after I finish the blue jay I am working on!

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Very nice! You should see if the Citizen, Sun or one of the local tv stations wants to run these, they are fantastic quality.

Thank you!

I submitted them and we will see who bites

BTW, I sent some photos of my pond at night back in December to a local TV station in December (CJOH) and they did the weather from here last Friday. Sometimes things just click.

D

These pictures are a hoot . His colours in the tree would have made him hard to see. Well done !

Very Very nice.

wow!

that's all I can say.

F A N T A S T I C !!!!!

Thanks for sharing those fabulous images.

What settings & gear did you use?

Regards,

Bob