Some people only go in search of wildlife on sunny days with blue skies. Some people only look for things in early morning or golden hour light. Sometimes cloudy days or photos a few hours before sunset can work.
Short-Eared Owl Above the Grass
I take photos whenever I can get them. Animals do not go by our schedule. I have a lot of short eared owl photos. I was happy anytime I saw them, but hoped for good lighting conditions.
It sounds like we will have rainy and possibly snowy weather this week. Whatever the weather, have a nice week.
Two nights ago a wish came true. I was hoping a short-eared owl would land on a birdhouse close to the viewing stand. It was not there for long, but I got off a few of shots.
Short Eared Owl on a Birdhouse
It was not ideal lighting conditions, but I will take it. It came out with clouds at the horizon during sunset. They could be leaving for Canada anytime soon.
There were maybe 3-4 other cars at around 4 p.m. The others left, then I saw two owls on the far side of the field come up and do short flights spaced.
Short-Eared Owl Post Hopping
Later, as cars started to arrive, one flew and landed on one post and stayed for a long time. The post was far out, so no pictures here. However, when it flew, (as its audience was growing again) it flew back and forth over the trail and landed on various posts on both sides.
Short-Eared Owl Post Hopping. This post is close to the trail. Its my favourite one the owl lands on for that reason.
By my count it landed on four different posts, at least one of them multiple times.
Short-Eared Owl Post Hopping
It flew rather close to the parking lot and the trail.
Short-Eared Owl Post Hopping Back to my favourite post
Despite the cloudy, overcast sky they came out before sunset and at least one of them gave us quite a show. Anything is possible even on a cloudy, dreary day.
After several days of either heavy rains or strong winds it was much calmer weather today. One owl was nice enough to come out before sunset. I believe others came up later.
Short-Eared Owl Take Offs and LandingsShort-Eared Owl Take Offs and Landings- Flew close to the Viewing AreaShort-Eared Owl Take Offs and Landings- Close to the Viewing AreaShort-Eared Owl Take Offs and Landings
Last night they came out after sunset so the images were very grainy. I was happy one came out earlier tonight. Enjoy your week!
Short-Eared Owl Hello – It landed on a post near the platform.Short-Eared Owl Hello -Flying from the post towards the platform.Short-Eared Owl Hello – It landed near the platform in the grass on top of its prey.
You never know if a day will be good or bad. You never know if you will be standing in the right area. You never know for sure the light will be good. The light was good before sunset and I was really hoping they would come to the area I parked myself to watch the short-eared owls..
Short-Eared Owls at Sunset
I saw two short eared owls far away in front of me. Then one flew towards where the viewing platform was. It seemed to be lingering so I walked over. It was on a post, but all pictures I took it had its back to me. Finally it flew off the post and flew closer to me. Only the first few shots after it flew from the post were in focus. Maybe I would have better results if I took the zoom down from 600 to 200- 300. I switched from a lower shutter speed to a higher one quick without looking. I figured out later it was too high -1/4,000.
Short-Eared Owls at Sunset
Maybe I can account for that higher than desired ISO when I eventually get a program to remove noise. It was nice to see them in this light, if but only for a couple of minutes. Have a great weekend and get out and enjoy nature!
Little stinkers. They waited until any good light left to come out. One landed on this pole near the trail. I do not have a denoise program. Only an old version of Elements. Obviously I do not know what I am doing. I hope someday to take a course in photoshop or get a denoise program.
Regardless, I was happy to see them again. I just wish they would come up in good light. Have a great Wednesday!
After stopping by after work yesterday and not seeing any owls, there was already short-eared owls out and about when I arrived in the parking lot at around 5 p.m. today. Evidently they were out around 4:00 or prior to that busily hunting .
Short-Eared Owls out and About – First pictures in tree
I could see the owl in the tree from the parking lot, but I like moving along. The owl stayed in the tree for a while.
Short-Eared Owls Out and About
Right after I started walking up the trail I saw one owl very close to the trail. Unfortunately I was not prepared and had my camera set around 1/500 or a second. The above photo has blurred wings but otherwise not too bad.
Short-Eared Owls Out and About
The above was also taken at 1/500 of a second.
Short-Eared Owls Out and About
It was getting too dark shortly after this photo above. There are two other kinds of owls at this location. A great horned owl had a lot to say tonight. We can’t get close to them at this location.
I believe at one point there were 4 short eared owls flying around in this one area of the trail. There were only 3-4 people photographing in this area. After yesterday I was thinking they may have left for Canada, but they are still here. This made my day. Have a great weekend!
I stopped in this location after work to see if I could catch some action. It was not too windy, although there was some clouds in the sky and not the greatest light. We did see them fly closer to us where we are allowed to stand.
Short-Eared Owl Night Flight
The above photo is lightened a bit. It is hard to capture them when they come out. The grass is tall as this location, taller than me actually, and did not have a deep enough snowfall to force it down. Therefore, the grass interferes with focus. Not bad though for a dark evening. Have a great weekend.
I decided to swing by the land I see these owls on before dark. It rained part of the day, but continued to look dark and dreary. The last two nights the owls only flew on the other end of the field. Tonight they flew closer. I was able to see them in flight, on a tree, and see one of the short-eared owls on a post.
Short-Eared Owl on a Post
The flight shots were grainy due to high ISO, but you cannot have everything.
Short-Eared Owl on a Post
I may try to go on the weekend, but luck has not been on my side on Saturdays or Sundays. The increase in the number of owl paparazzi on weekends keeps them at bay. Have a great weekend!
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