Deep in the Woods

Thanks for taking the time to view, comment/critique, and, allowing me

the opportunity to share the experience!

Even with as much time as I spend in the woods, I rarely get the

opportunity to find one of these critters when there is enough light to get

off a shot or two. Well, . . . although I had a Monopod, I think I also had

a touch of the "fever" with the excitement so, it's not as sharp as I would

have liked it to have been but I think it still worthy of posting.

Would greatly appreciate your thoughts, critiques or comments.

Cheers,

Jim j.

Jim,

This is a great find and a great shot.  Thanks for commenting on my eagle find.  It is a 2-hr drive from my house so probably won't go as often as I would like.  Looking forward to shooting owls again in Feb / Mar timeframe when they build their nest at Lady Bird Wildflower Center. 

Excellent capture Jim,Happy holidays

Yes, a little fuzzy, but great light and pose of the owl as well as surroundings. Very nice!

your flying objects are great....

Hope you're doing well my friend.

Wish you all the best in 2014.

Vukasin

This had to make your day. Great shot.

Well, I'm impressed with your capture.  It's very difficult to photograph any wild animal and this is excellent.  Not razor sharp.... Pfft, neither are my eyes all the time ;-), so that's not a factor....  

Happy New Year to you and yours...  Mike

Many thanks to you all for your visit and comments!

It was indeed a rewarding afternoon when I discovered this Barred Owl (to the best I can determine) being harassed by a Red Tailed Hawk as I rounded the bend of the trail.

The Owl took a dive into a hollow tree trunk to escape the Red Tailed Hawk. So, me with my 100-400 mounted on a monopod set up against a large tree about 30 yards from the hollow tree. Well, after nearly an hour with no sign of movement in the hollow tree, I decided to return to my car. Once there and rested for a bit, I remembered that I did have my Varmit Caller in the trunk. Now, only if the batteries were any good!

They were, so I put the call through a couple of series of "Rodent" calls! Almost immediately the area where I was "came alive" with Woodpeckers flittering about and making lots of noise. I moved just a bit to see what all the noise was about and there was the Owl perched on a limb, now being harassed by Woodpeckers swooping and diving at it!

I got off a few shots but the light wasn't very good at all. Then, as I started stalking the Owl, I learned that as long as the Owl was watching the ground I could very slowly move a few steps toward it and would freeze when it looked at me.

This "stalking" went on for about 3 hours and the Owl would tolerate my getting within about 30-40 yards from it before it would fly to another tree nearby to hunt some more.

The area was covered with grasses about 2-3 foot tall. I did observe the Owl make several dives for prey in the grass but never caught him above the grasses with any prey in his clutches. Apparently he was devouring (probably Field Mice) his prey while on the ground in the tall grasses.

As the afternoon of stalking progressed, the light improved, the Barred Owl was tolerant of me, and out of 50-60 shots this was one of the better ones. I'm still reviewing and working on a couple of others.

I was like a Deer Hunter with "Buck Fever" each time I got the opportunity to snap a shot or two or, three or four! The excitement was overwhelming and I simply just could not "settle down" enough to "hold steady!"

"That's my story and, I'm sticking to it!"

Again, I feel very privileged to have drawn your attention with some of my photographs.

Happy Holidays to you all, and may 2014 be full of "good light!"

Regards always,

Jim j.

I think it is a great capture, with the tree branches almost as interesting as the owl.  With all the browns, the yellow beak stands out nicely.  

Thanks Kate!

A true pleasure to meet you!

Many thanks for your visit! Hope to see you again!

Happy Holidays,

Jim j.

Hi Jim, The sun hitting this guy just right. Very beautiful capture. He blends in well with his surroundings, you must have an eagle eye to spot him to get this great shot Jim. I hope you and your family had a great Christmas and wishing you a healthy and happy New Year. Take care.

BR,

Holger

Never mind the focus.....this is great!  The lighting is spectacular and the owl is poised so perfectly at an angle to accommodate the photographer!  :-)   But what I love even more is how articulately you wrote about your experience that afternoon.  What a thrill.....and what perseverance!  It was worth it to get something this good!  If I haven't already said so, Happy New Year to you and yours!

Wow! What a reat pose and capture Jim! Good color and natural surroundings. Best regards, Rob

Although I'm a bit late in responding, . . . many thanks for your visits and encouraging comments.

As always, I feel blessed that my work has drawn your attention!

Regards,

Jim j.

Good job James!!!

Great story too, Jim. :-)

I'm sorry I missed this one Jim. Boy were you patient!! I really like all the branches in the background, really adds to the composition. Very good capture with excellent light!