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GHowlPair030612_2282
GHowlPair030612_2282
hahn23


Photograph Information Photographer's Comments
Camera: Canon EOS-5D
Lens: Canon EF 400mm f/5.6L USM
Location: Rocky Mountain National Park, Estes Park, CO
Date: Mar 6, 2012
Aperture: 5.6
ISO: 400
Shutter: 1/250
Galleries: Nature, Birds
Date Uploaded: Dec 4, 2012

Viewed: 66
Comments: 12
Favorites: 0

 This courtship behavior immediately preceded the egg laying about March 15. The female's 33 days on two eggs in a nest was a great display of duty and diligence. During that time, the male brought meals to the female. This kind of wild bird shot gets little attention because of all the close up shots at rehabilitation centers of tethered birds in captivity. It's a completely different ball game when the birds are wild and free to flee. And, wild birds have a much more robust look than captive birds because their spirit is not broken. It's true that I will never get an 18" close up of a wild owl face and eyes with magnificent feather detail, but my thing is photographing wild birds and animals. I don't begrudge those who photograph captive birds, but I wish those photographers would give credit to the zoo or rehab facility responsible for the opportunity, rather than leave the false impression they captured the extreme close up in the wild.

These owls are very nocturnal. This photo taken in the daylight. They can barely open their eyes and prefer not to do so. The owls in rehab centers on tethers with eyes wide open in daylight have been forced to adjust to human schedules and have probably lost their night vision.

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AuthorThread
 12/08/2012 10:35:37 AM
Amazing shot Richard! Owls are so awesome! I've never seen any in person that weren't captive. I'd love to be able to roam the woods and find one.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 12/07/2012 10:59:28 PM
Interesting write up. Beautiful birds. Love that it looks like one is winking at you.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 12/07/2012 02:29:27 PM
They look seriously annoyed with you for interrupting their naps! I'd be in heaven to find and capture a scene like this :-)
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 12/06/2012 08:36:05 AM
A magical shot, especially being able to get both in the same frame.

My neighbors the barred owls are much more prone to be seen in daylight....
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 12/06/2012 02:29:55 AM
This is really wonderful! I love their "do you MIND?" look they're giving you.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 12/05/2012 06:02:48 PM
Really cool. Owls are such interesting creatures.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 12/05/2012 01:34:26 PM
OMG I love owls. I would be on cloud nine if I could get a cool shot like this. Awesome job!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 12/05/2012 12:33:36 PM
What a wonderful find! I would love to find owls -- It's incredibly rare for me to ever see one around here (I think I've seen one twice -- period.)

Very nicely done!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 12/05/2012 12:24:02 PM
Beautiful creatures
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 12/05/2012 12:05:19 PM
I love the glimpse we might not otherwise have that a capture like this gives us into the life of animals in the wild. I'm sure this was even more fascinating and exciting to witness than to record.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 12/05/2012 11:26:36 AM
Originally posted by hahn23:
I don't begrudge those who photograph captive birds, but I wish those photographers would give credit to the zoo or rehab facility responsible for the opportunity, rather than leave the false impression they captured the extreme close up in the wild.
The false impressions drive me nuts also.

This is a very good image. I find it hard to give criticism on nature shots because so much of it is luck (getting that right moment). I know you can position yourself and use the appropriate lenses and settings to eliminate your side of equation, but you can't control what they do. Hopefully that makes sense because otherwise I know you'll be itching to respond.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 12/05/2012 10:23:58 AM
Awesome! What a great sight to be able to capture!
  Photographer found comment helpful.


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