Northern Hawk Owl

[ShawnZ]

Okay Jay, the hours of observation of that hawk owl in Hedbom far exceeded anything that I was able to come away with photographically. But I'll toss two out there, with an older one (just cuz) I wish I could have seen the interactions between the owl and the jays better, it sure sounded like it was giving them all heck, but most of it took place just out of my sight Techs: SonyA300,Minolta5d, Tokina80-400mm, iso200/400, f9/f10, various shutter speeds, manual exposure, manual focus, cropped, levels, USM. The flight shot was from sax/zim bog christmas bird count 2007, the other two are from Hedbom bog recently. The last image shows the hawk owl "dialed" in right before launching/hitting it's mark

Comments and critiques welcome.

Regards,

Shawn Zierman.

[Steve Foss]

The lighting, composition and drama of the second image stand out. The light on the eye is top notch. High marks for that capture. Not often you witness, let alone capture, that spontaneous pose in the natural world!

[Birdsong]

The second one had to be a thrill when you saw it on your monitor for the first time. What a beautiful photo!

[JayinMN]

That second shot is great, by far the best NHO image I have ever seen. Last weekend when I got out of my car to take picture of one it came straight at me and zipped right by my head. I think it was trying to tell me to leave or sizing me up for dinner... I was not at all prepared for that.

[ShawnZ]

Well, I think you are supposed to put the mouse on the ground, not leave it on your hat No seriously, I bet that got your heart a racing! It is interesting to think, and it infrequently crosses my mind while watching these owls, how just like my cat, if I was small enough, the owl would undoubtedly try and eat me.......Aaaand only for street cred, and because I am slightly proud of it, no bait was used for number two. I stood in two and a half feet of snow for close to three hours waiting...and waiting...and then....luck! And still it's never enough, I'm sure many on this forum could relate. You could come home every day with the most amazing, perfect, out of this world image, and still only find yourself thinking about the next time. The hope of what is next, what might happen to unfold the next time out the door, the visual treasures that await those who seek them out....I thank God for that! Though, not nearly enough.

Thanks for the comments.

[wishing for walleyes]

I really like number 2 as well.Great shot.

[Jim Almquist]

Wow Shawn that second shot is a wallhanger for sure and the way you have the shadows and the light on the NHO face make the shot so cool. I saw the 3rd shot on CT and was really hoping that you would share that shot over here. Thanks for sharing and great work cause I know that shots like that just don't come easy.

[Wayne Ek]

That second shot is outstanding!

[finnbay]

Second one is top notch!

[MN Shutterbug]

That second one rocks. But, threee hours in 2 1/2 feet of snow? I have birdie patience, but I don't think I would have that much.

[MARINERMAGNUM]

Gorgeous stuff!

[Dbl]

Second for me as well, nice work!

[Hwood]

Not to often I look over on this forum, simply forget its here. Glad I did tonight. Very cool.