I can't add much to the above comments, a lot has been said already... But I was really stunned when I first saw your shots, they are just fantastic! And thanks for posting that last one including the photographer, it makes it much easier to picture the story!
A really fine job of photographing. I am amazed you were able to get this close but I guess from what I am reading here this is pretty common in this area. Now what are you going to do with so many owl shots?
Lou
That is such a great moment, congrats to getting to experience that!
Great images too, good job being cool enough to get such nice captures!
The closeup of the face is stunning.
Wow, you were cool under pressure Charles. I'll bet this is something you won't forget for a while, and if you do, you will have the great pictures. WOW again.
right now if you want to get in on the action.... ya just got to get yourself to aitkin county Mn... the owls are centered in an area thats bounded on the east by hwy 65, west hwy 47, north cnty 4, south cnty 2, radiating out from that area for quite a few miles actually.... you dont HAVE to be on cnty 4... thought thats were I saw the most... I also saw them at Rice Lake national refuge... along with the much more rare to find northern hawk owl.. who also posed very nicely... even for flight shots....
the grays are all approachable... some much more so than others... I was withing 3 feet of one beauty..... and he was not bothered..... he actually dang near hopped on my shoulder! think my camera was the only thing that saved me.. he could make up his mind whether to land on my lens or my head.... so he chose the branch right next to me.... gave me a thrill... thats for sure.... Im from Wisonsin and Ive not heard of any concentrations here..... its totally different in aitkin count Mn...... its totally owlsome.... the minnesota ornitholigist union (mou) is a great source for whats happening right now..... clearly an amazing deal when you could use a disposable camera if you wished and still get great shots... big glass not needed.... (but always handy to have!)
Thank you all for the wonderful comments, I really appreciate it.
As with RiverEyes post, I do encourage you to go and see/photo the owls, but don't follow the advice too closely. If these owls choose to approach you, enjoy the moment and capitalize. But don't disturb them to just get "the shot."
They have flown thousands of miles south this year to follow the vole population. They can often be found sitting on the sides of the road (and are very approachable) because they are hunting and starving. Visiting the areas they have chosen to inhabit this year can be a wonderful experience and may generate some fantastic photos *without* disturbing their hunting. However, if one does decide to come check you out as well, be ready...
Hi Braingiant....
thanks for covering me on the Owl approach.... I guess I forget not everyone is an experienced birder... I just assume they are..... though I should clear up a couple of things.......
these owls are dying by the hundreds via car collisions.. they fly low and slow over roads and have no/little fear of vehicles or people.... so far they have picked up over 500 road kills... examination of the road kills shows that they are in normal winter condition and are NOT starving....
when approaching an Owl (or pretty much any bird of prey)... its usually very easy to tell when you have exceeded their comfort level and you should not approach any closer.... the first sign is usually shifting their weight and rousing their feathers..... the next and often last sign is vacating their bowels.... at this point they are seconds away from flying.... if you are interested in photographing them then you dont want to push them to flight... since they are not starving its not going to hurt them to fly.... (unless they get hit by a car!!! which is VERY possible).... but please dont harras them by following them.. they often will not fly far... pursuit of them is likely to be considered harrassment and is against the law... as well as being unethical and just plain stressful to the bird......
Ive heard that some photographers have bought or caught mice to bait the owls and thereby get photos of them attacking the mice... Ive even seen at least 2 such shots posted on the net with obviously domestic mice.... its my feeling the owl you encountered has been party to this activity.... you can see that he has lost even more fear of man and is looking at photographers as a source of food..... this is not a good thing as its likely to get them in trouble at some point..... I personally dont feel that tossing mice out for them to attack is a good plan...... but Ive not spoken with any of the bioligist I know about it..... most of my information posted here has coming from interviewing the bioligist at Rice Lake National refuge.... I also have a degree in fisheries and wildlife with a lifetime of natural history experience..... as I say... I tend to forget that everyone isnt equally informed.... when I was shooting owls I saw many photographers... and I saw none that I thought were pushing them too hard.... and none that were baiting them... everyone was enjoying them and behaving very well....... it was great to see..... I am as concerned about the welfare of these beautiful birds as anyone.... I hope you dont think otherwise......
I don't understand the fascination...ugly, nasty little creatures... Nah, just kidding. Look at those bright, pretty eyes - almost hypnotizing. Excellent shots of a very exciting encounter.
RiverEyes wrote:
Hi Braingiant....
thanks for covering me on the Owl approach.... I guess I forget not everyone is an experienced birder... I just assume they are..... though I should clear up a couple of things.......
these owls are dying by the hundreds via car collisions.. they fly low and slow over roads and have no/little fear of vehicles or people.... so far they have picked up over 500 road kills... examination of the road kills shows that they are in normal winter condition and are NOT starving....
when approaching an Owl (or pretty much any bird of prey)... its usually very easy to tell when you have exceeded their comfort level and you should not approach any closer.... the first sign is usually shifting their weight and rousing their feathers..... the next and often last sign is vacating their bowels.... at this point they are seconds away from flying.... if you are interested in photographing them then you dont want to push them to flight... since they are not starving its not going to hurt them to fly.... (unless they get hit by a car!!! which is VERY possible).... but please dont harras them by following them.. they often will not fly far... pursuit of them is likely to be considered harrassment and is against the law... as well as being unethical and just plain stressful to the bird......
Ive heard that some photographers have bought or caught mice to bait the owls and thereby get photos of them attacking the mice... Ive even seen at least 2 such shots posted on the net with obviously domestic mice.... its my feeling the owl you encountered has been party to this activity.... you can see that he has lost even more fear of man and is looking at photographers as a source of food..... this is not a good thing as its likely to get them in trouble at some point..... I personally dont feel that tossing mice out for them to attack is a good plan...... but Ive not spoken with any of the bioligist I know about it..... most of my information posted here has coming from interviewing the bioligist at Rice Lake National refuge.... I also have a degree in fisheries and wildlife with a lifetime of natural history experience..... as I say... I tend to forget that everyone isnt equally informed.... when I was shooting owls I saw many photographers... and I saw none that I thought were pushing them too hard.... and none that were baiting them... everyone was enjoying them and behaving very well....... it was great to see..... I am as concerned about the welfare of these beautiful birds as anyone.... I hope you dont think otherwise.........Show more →
Well put RiverEyes, I am in complete agreement with your statements and meant no disrespect in my post
Also, if any Minnesotans, or others who have visited northern MN to see these beautiful creatures, feel like helping...the Raptor Center in St. Paul has spent over 30,000+ unbudgeted dollars performing surgeries and caring for injured owls (mostly from in-flight collisions with cars) before releasing them back to the wild. They are looking for any assistance if anyone is inclined. I just thought I would share this information as I just saw it on the news minutes ago here in Minneapolis.
Man I wish I were there with you bro , man Florida is nice but I miss our shoots , and now you show me the best capture of an owl I have Ever seen
super fantastic and this one will make you some serious money
J
I cant wait for this summer man, we will have to do some serious shooting from boat, kayak, and land. It will be a spectacular time. I plan on picking up the 200-400 VR sometime this month, so I am just stoked. Start building up those paddling muscles
Charles,
Great shots. It must have been a great experience. You shouldn't admit,
though, that it was close enough to shoot with 200mm or less or you won't be able to rationalize spending big money on long glass.
Les
?
, and now you show me the best capture of an owl I have Ever seen