Harassment

Gallery: AvianPosted May 27, 2013246 views12 comments

Zack Clothier and I had an interesting morning today in Yellowstone. We managed to photograph this great gray owl while it was being harassed by a pair of Clark's nutcrackers. Eventually the owl was chased off by the smaller birds.

Oh, and we had a black bear pop out of the woods 30 feet away while we were in there. Thankfully, a few cries of "Hey Bear!" and a little more distance between us prevented any need for our bear spray, but the bear did circle back and come our direction again before disappearing into the forest.

Just another exciting day in Yellowstone.

Canon 1DX
Canon 500mm f/4 IS
ISO 1600
1/200th
f/5.6
(Processed on the laptop, so I apologize if the colors are wonky).

Max

Comments

12 comments

Comment posted by Dennis Plank on May 27, 2013 at 11:53 PM

I love the perspective here, Max.

Registered on January 28, 2008, 1767 Posts, 23192 Comments

Comment posted by Elizabeth Arellano on May 28, 2013 at 8:56 AM

Nice one.

Registered on February 18, 2008, 35 Posts, 302 Comments

Comment posted by Hans Overduin on May 28, 2013 at 4:14 PM

A very unusual shot - and an exciting experience. Not much chance of such an encounter here in the Netherlands

. Cheers, Hans

Registered on August 31, 2011, 491 Posts, 3807 Comments

Comment posted by Luke Ormand on May 28, 2013 at 7:09 PM

Awesome shot here showing the juxtaposition. I really like the big wide eyes of the owl and the calling of the nutcracker.

Registered on February 4, 2009, 1093 Posts, 7035 Comments

Comment posted by Randy Bacon on May 28, 2013 at 9:48 PM

Fascinating interaction Max - well captured.

Registered on November 24, 2008, 56 Posts, 492 Comments

Comment posted by Craig Strand on May 28, 2013 at 10:06 PM

What a look on this owls face, your photo tells the story you provided. Beautiful job, congrats!

Registered on March 30, 2008, 416 Posts, 2885 Comments

Comment posted by Kurt Bowman on May 28, 2013 at 10:54 PM

Tells a nice story Max. You can feel the annoyance in that stare! Glad to hear you steered clear of the bear. Nice work.

Registered on June 19, 2008, 1005 Posts, 8028 Comments

Comment posted by Martin Dunn on May 29, 2013 at 4:36 AM

I love the expression of anger/disgust on the owl's face. (of course that is just in my imagination).
Nice detail. It constantly surprises me how large birds like owls and eagles are bullied by smaller birds.

Registered on February 20, 2013, 198 Posts, 1011 Comments

Comment posted by Sharon Hallowell on May 29, 2013 at 6:57 PM

Not wonky at all! Quite a fun image and very nice of the owl. Sharon

Registered on November 1, 2003, 392 Posts, 4810 Comments

Comment posted by Nate Chappell on May 29, 2013 at 11:10 PM

Hilarious shot Max, love the look on the owl's face. It would have been great if you had light enough to stop down a little more but you were very limited, well done

Registered on February 1, 2006, 1158 Posts, 19528 Comments

Comment posted by Ken Archer on May 30, 2013 at 12:16 AM

Super cool photo Max

Great expression on the owls face, I like the calling nutcracker too. Sure wish I was out there this spring. hope therest of your time out there is as exciting and productive.

Ken Archer

Registered on October 28, 2004, 222 Posts, 6683 Comments

Comment posted by Jim DeWitt on May 31, 2013 at 1:52 AM

Delightful, Max. The Great Grey is a lot paler than the ones up here.

Registered on August 28, 2006, 1240 Posts, 8506 Comments