Was able to attend a Saw-whet Owl banding at the Kiptopeke Banding Station on the Eastern Pennisula of Va. They play owl recordings and catch them in nets which they check every couple of hours. They then band and release. The Saw-whet is about the size of a coke can and is only active at night. They are very shy and most people have never seen one.They eat mice which they tear up with their claws. The Biologist had many scars on her hands. No flash was allowed and these are all lit only by the headlight of the Biologist doing the banding. ASA was set to 1000 f2.8 with a 24-70 Zoom lens. Shutter speeds were only 1/40 at most.

Joe

What a lucky guy! Dont' think we have those out in my neck of the woods in California. Really a neat little owl. Also compliments on catching some great images under very tough lighting conditions.

Thanks for sharing them with us.

Geo

Hey Joe,

This is a really cool experience. How did you get this opportunity?

James

George: Thanks for the kind comments. I looked at my range maps and these guys are in california though the southern part is the end of their range. They breed in canada during the summer but spend the winter throughout the US. They are very rare, nocturnal,and blend in well with the thick brush they prefer. During the day look on the lower outer pine branches at what at first glance looks to be a pine cone. They do tolerate a close approach during the day as they sleep.I would think they would be in the mountains in your area or in the more northern parts of CA. I have never seen one in the wild though they caught 1000 of these last season at the banding station.Hope you find one!If anyone can from what I've seen of your work,you can.I am currently looking.
James: I belong to the Williamsburg Bird Club and several members are professor types at the College of William&Mary.Bill Williams who is a local birding legend(and nationally known-his name regularly appears in ABA publications) arranged it for the club.