Stealthy Silent Flight

Gallery: AvianPosted August 21, 201797 views10 comments

Great Grey Owl in a stealthy flight. Cropped to eliminate most weeds and entanglements. Wild bird, Not Baited or called in.
This guy was a visitor this winter at our Moira farm. It took several attempts to get it somewhat familiar with my presence over a few weeks. These visitors are from far north and will frequent southern areas when their food (voles) is limited. It happened about 10 years previous when a few of these majestic owls visited then. Nikon D500, Nikon lens F2.8 200-400mm VR in active, 1/1600, F6.3, ISO1600, one pass NR, -.67 Meter compensation, Handheld.

Comments appreciated

Bill
www.BillBickle.com

Comments

10 comments

Comment posted by Richard Sandor on August 21, 2017 at 1:05 PM

Bill: very well done. Techs and pose are spot on. The one bright, yellow eye is captivating. Richard

Registered on January 12, 2014, 453 Posts, 1625 Comments

Comment posted by Shirley Freeman on August 21, 2017 at 3:56 PM

I am so jealous, Bill! I have yet to see an owl to photograph, and you have one in flight, which is pretty rare, I think. I haven't seem too many photos of them flying anyway, most are perched. Wonderful composition, pose, and excellent detail.

Registered on May 27, 2017, 77 Posts, 844 Comments

Comment posted by William Bickle on August 21, 2017 at 4:12 PM

Hello Richard, Shirley, .... Great & thanks.

I was very fortunate to have a couple of these guys visit me from Late February until Mid March this season.

To identify their sex is difficult because they do not have different markings . The very best way is to see them together, where the female is larger. It has been Ten years since their last visit and using better equipment assisted in getting better images this time.
Last time was using first of the digital cameras and low quality lens.

Cheers

Bill
www.BillBickle.com

Registered on June 13, 2011, 183 Posts, 1702 Comments

Comment posted by Richard Ditch on August 21, 2017 at 6:37 PM

Very nice flight shot of a favorite species. This composition works but I'd also like to see a bit more room (including the weeds and entanglements).

It has been 25 years or more since I've seen one - in Jamestown, NY. Before that I got se one in Yosemite in the early 1980's. SO my photos come nowher near to this quailty.

Registered on November 1, 2003, 1031 Posts, 12705 Comments

Comment posted by David Bogener on August 21, 2017 at 6:46 PM

Love it. Nice flight image and composition.

Registered on October 30, 2013, 417 Posts, 1255 Comments

Comment posted by S Govindarajan on August 21, 2017 at 8:50 PM

Splendid capture of this majestic owl, Bill. I like the intense look on the owl, the overall dark tones in the image and how you have composed it. The large version is awesome. devil

Registered on April 19, 2008, 115 Posts, 1921 Comments

Comment posted by Nate Chappell on August 21, 2017 at 9:45 PM

Cool hunting pose you captured nicely here Bill devil

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

Comment posted by David Schoen on August 22, 2017 at 1:42 PM

A very well done flight shot although I think it could use a little more room. I know these are tough to get and you've done a terrific job with the detail.

Registered on November 6, 2006, 1213 Posts, 4587 Comments

Comment posted by Peter J. Morrissey on August 22, 2017 at 3:58 PM

Hi Bill
I agree with all the comments, this is a great shot.
Peter

Registered on July 3, 2011, 188 Posts, 969 Comments

Comment posted by Dennis Plank on August 23, 2017 at 4:58 PM

Excellent, Bill. I like the pose that makes it look almost as if it were hovering. The eye really pops and you did a good job of getting separation from the busy bg.

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