p.1 #1 · Final approach after a successful "sortie" - burrowing owl
This set is from September 2019. The owls at this location some 25 minutes away from me were cooperating and I just bought a new lens. So, I ended up spending a lot of time there . Well, what would a retiree do anyway otherwise, right?
For 2 months or so, I observed their behavior; the way they interacted with each other, their way of hunting and catching their food mid-air and then bringing the prey back to the area near their burrow, enjoying their food to even "regurgitating" or secreting the food remains . I learned a lot and frankly I enjoyed the experience and they easily became my favorite wildlife target last year, as the year before, too. After getting familiar with their behavior, the chance of capturing selected moments became easier than trying to do that in the dark, well, somewhat easier, as this guy can fly fast and erratically.
Here is this guy that just caught a June bug mid-air on its way back to the burrow. On this particular "sortie", I did miss the catching part, although I did get that in some others, but leave out a few earlier frames here and the area near this particular burrow is quite heavily vegetated and he was obstructed at the end. I love the intense look of the owl.
Thank you for looking and please feel free to leave any feedback,
Joshua
p.1 #2 · Final approach after a successful "sortie" - burrowing owl
Great set to celebrate the new year Joshua! The sharpness of your prime is showing in this set and the captures themselves are quite impressive. Favorites are 2 for both the eye contact and diagonal as well as the last for the phenomenal detail we get to see as you have filled the frame.
p.1 #5 · Final approach after a successful "sortie" - burrowing owl
morris wrote:
Great set to celebrate the new year Joshua! The sharpness of your prime is showing in this set and the captures themselves are quite impressive. Favorites are 2 for both the eye contact and diagonal as well as the last for the phenomenal detail we get to see as you have filled the frame.
Have a Happy New Year,
Morris
Thank you very much, Morris! Happy New Year to you, too and let's make this year photographically rewarding. And most of all, stay healthy!
KCollett wrote:
Great set, Joshua.
My appreciation to you, Ken!
dallvr wrote:
Terrific set, Joshua! Your hard work and preparation paid great dividends.
p.1 #6 · Final approach after a successful "sortie" - burrowing owl
Very subtle differences in all of these Joshua but I prefer #2 just for the head position tilted slightly upwards. All are really beautiful and well captured.
Gary
p.1 #7 · Final approach after a successful "sortie" - burrowing owl
sum1sgrampa wrote:
Very subtle differences in all of these Joshua but I prefer #2 just for the head position tilted slightly upwards. All are really beautiful and well captured.
Gary
Thank you very much, Gary! Yes, and I left out quite a few already... .
p.1 #18 · Final approach after a successful "sortie" - burrowing owl
Well if this was first outing with a new lens at the time you sure did fine buddy These guys must be addictive once you start to watch them and enjoy their antics. Very cool you have them trained to bring you June Bugs
p.1 #19 · Final approach after a successful "sortie" - burrowing owl
bobbytan wrote:
A great set, Joshua!
Thank you very much, Bobby!
Karl Witt wrote:
Well if this was first outing with a new lens at the time you sure did fine buddy These guys must be addictive once you start to watch them and enjoy their antics. Very cool you have them trained to bring you June Bugs
Sweet eye contact, nice IF work.
Karl
Karl, thank you for leaving your kind feedback, sir! No, this set wasn't on my first outing with the lens but probably one of the first when I started handholding although with the help of a stock grip. I did cut my reaction time faster and I could follow the action better. Yet, it took me awhile to train "fetch and retrieve" haha.
. Well, what would a retiree do anyway otherwise, right? 
These guys must be addictive once you start to watch them and enjoy their antics. Very cool you have them trained to bring you June Bugs 
