Archive 2025 · I found my Snowy Owls
p.1 #1I found my Snowy Owls
Congratulations to Jeffrey for winning Feature Thread of the Week with 6 votes - View Previous Winners
After a lot of research and expense (I'm from California), I finally had a wonderful Snowy Owl experience. Southern Ontario, Canada. It was a painfully cold few days, but worth every minute. Thanks to so many of you here that inspired me to learn to do this. Enjoy....
Jan 24, 2025 at 10:20 PM
p.1 #2I found my Snowy Owls
Most excellent! Did you make the trip just to shoot the owls?
Jan 25, 2025 at 06:04 AM
p.1 #3I found my Snowy Owls
wow! great set of pictures. glad you had a great time and thanks for sharing your pictures. going to canada this time of year is one way to escape the wildfires.
Jan 25, 2025 at 06:09 AM
p.1 #4I found my Snowy Owls
Really fine set, my pick is no. 4, Jeffrey! Congrats on your most successful find.
Douglas
Douglas
Jan 25, 2025 at 06:37 AM
p.1 #5I found my Snowy Owls
Congratulations Jeffrey! 1, 2, 5 and 6 are my picks. Now you know the joy of standing out in the cold for hours waiting for an owl to do something. Glad you made these great image when the owl finally flew.
Morris
Morris
Jan 25, 2025 at 06:45 AM
p.1 #7I found my Snowy Owls
These are amazing Jeffrey, you got some great photos. This appears to be a good year for snowies here in southern Ontario. Where about did you go? Was it a specific photo trip, because you got some great shoots in real nice light. Are these all 600f4 ?
Jan 25, 2025 at 08:55 AM
p.1 #8I found my Snowy Owls
This is easy ...... I just voted
For your first experience with Snowies you mastered them! A couple are real standouts and the rest are excellent Jeffrey. The cold was likely your biggest challenge, lol it's the norm here in Ohio
Sweet success man
Karl
For your first experience with Snowies you mastered them! A couple are real standouts and the rest are excellent Jeffrey. The cold was likely your biggest challenge, lol it's the norm here in Ohio
Sweet success man
Karl
Jan 25, 2025 at 09:15 AM
p.1 #9I found my Snowy Owls
Amazing shots! Simply awesome! I live in Southern Ontario and have only seen one on a pole after many hours. 
Jan 25, 2025 at 09:21 AM
p.1 #10I found my Snowy Owls
Thank you all for the kind comments. I planned this trip way ahead and the only thing I did was photograph these owls. I did shoot some snow buntings but no editing of them yet. I used a Sony A1-II and the 200-600 lens exclusively. Processed in Photoshop.
Since I don't know the area at all, I had a guide to make more efficient use of my time there (3.5 days) and to help locate and gain access to them. We mainly worked the area west of Barrie and a little south of Stayner. I won't provide exact locations for ethical reasons. My days there were the coldest yet of the year, ranging from around -10F in the early light to single digits above zero mid day, then dropping again for the late light session. I had plenty of good warm clothing but I needed to use a thinner glove on my right hand to operate the camera. That yielded painful numbness within ten minutes. I missed a few launch/flyby sequences because I couldn't tell that my finger was not on the shutter when I tried to press it. I had to look at my finger to make sure it was over the button and then just press down with no sensation. It was like using a stick to make the images! The pain is now gone but the images remain. Worth it!
Since I don't know the area at all, I had a guide to make more efficient use of my time there (3.5 days) and to help locate and gain access to them. We mainly worked the area west of Barrie and a little south of Stayner. I won't provide exact locations for ethical reasons. My days there were the coldest yet of the year, ranging from around -10F in the early light to single digits above zero mid day, then dropping again for the late light session. I had plenty of good warm clothing but I needed to use a thinner glove on my right hand to operate the camera. That yielded painful numbness within ten minutes. I missed a few launch/flyby sequences because I couldn't tell that my finger was not on the shutter when I tried to press it. I had to look at my finger to make sure it was over the button and then just press down with no sensation. It was like using a stick to make the images! The pain is now gone but the images remain. Worth it!
Jan 25, 2025 at 10:00 AM
p.1 #11I found my Snowy Owls
Really nice set of images Jeffrey, the lighting is just perfect, I think 4 is my favourite. It's a great year for Snowies here in southern Ontario especially when compared to last year.
Jan 25, 2025 at 10:12 AM
p.1 #12I found my Snowy Owls
Brilliant set Jeffery! I'm glad it was worth it to withstand that cold!
Jan 25, 2025 at 11:44 AM
p.1 #16I found my Snowy Owls
Thanks to everyone for the kind comments and the encouragement.
Karl Witt wrote:
This is easy ...... I just voted
For your first experience with Snowies you mastered them! A couple are real standouts and the rest are excellent Jeffrey. The cold was likely your biggest challenge, lol it's the norm here in Ohio
Sweet success man
Karl
I sure appreciate you following my quest. Nice to have a fan! Take care.....
Karl Witt wrote:
This is easy ...... I just voted
For your first experience with Snowies you mastered them! A couple are real standouts and the rest are excellent Jeffrey. The cold was likely your biggest challenge, lol it's the norm here in Ohio
Sweet success man
Karl
I sure appreciate you following my quest. Nice to have a fan! Take care.....
Jan 26, 2025 at 09:34 PM
p.1 #17I found my Snowy Owls
Beautiful. It must be great to experience these.
Feb 01, 2025 at 12:49 AM
p.1 #18I found my Snowy Owls
That you all for the kind support. Owls are behind me for now. Penguins are in my near future!
Feb 02, 2025 at 11:36 AM