Tag: #ShortEaredOwls

You’re In My Spot!

The short-eared owls have been back a few weeks. They are taking no prisoners. There are not letting the hawks hang out on the posts. This reminds me of Sheldon in Big Bang Theory. He did not like anyone sitting in his chair.

You’re In My Spot!

The short-eared owls would fly up and try to knock the hawks off the posts. They were also chasing them around the refuge.

You’re In My Spot!

The owls are not landing on any of the numerous posts put up for perching. Hopefully they will soon. Sometimes that is your best chance at a decent shot because you can lower the shutter speed.

You’re In My Spot!

Do you have a favourite spot? Have a Happy Thanksgiving!

Short-Eared Owl in Flight 2

When the owls come out in better light it gives me a chance to up the shutter speed to 1/2000 of a second. This enables me to stop the action better and get less blur and more details in the image.

Many times they are coming out at sunset or after sunset. To try to reduce noise in the photos I had lower shutter speeds in early photos. Many of those photos have blur in the wings and do not have sharp details. I have a lot of shots the last two or three days I went where they came out prior to sunset. This photo was still lightened. Hopefully your week is not as soggy as mine so far.

Short-Eared Owl Above the Grass

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.

Short-Eared Owl on a Birdhouse

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.

Short-Eared Owl on a Birdhouse

Sometimes wishes do come true. Have a great week!

Short-Eared Owl Take-Offs and Landings

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 Landings
Short-Eared Owl Take Offs and Landings- Flew close to the Viewing Area
Short-Eared Owl Take Offs and Landings- Close to the Viewing Area
Short-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 Owls at Sunset

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!

Short-Eared Owls Out and About

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!

Short-Eared Owl Night Flight

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.

Short-Eared Owl on a Post

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!

Short-Eared Owl Fly By

I went for a couple of hours to watch the short-eared owls again. This time from the viewing platform, which I usually stay away from. I was lucky they flew nearby, but not too close a few times.

Short-Eared Owl Fly By

They seemed to have come out earlier today than yesterday. It was before sunset started.

Short-Eared Owl Fly By

All pictures were taken with a zoom lens and are heavily cropped.

Short-Eared Owl Fly By -This one is checking us out.

Tonight they spent a lot of time flying to the trees on the edge of the property, which are beyond the trails. It looked like there may have between 8-11. I wonder if it is a gathering before they head back up to northern Canada or the Arctic.

Short-Eared Owl Fly By – Checking us out again

I am guessing they are just as curious at times about us as they do look in our direction. What do you think?