This little guy lives in a birdhouse at my grandpas.
I wish I had that zoom lens...
(The camera settings were not optimal since I just started shooting before he disappeared.)



Andrew

Hi Andrew,

I have never seen an owl before outside of a zoo. I hope that you get the opportunity to go back with some bigger lenses.

James

Andrew,
that's very cool! Friends of ours rescued a baby Screech Owl a few months ago and I took some photos before they turned it over to a wildlife rescue group.

Here's a portrait of Mildred.



I was amazed at how small they are and how quickly they bond to humans if you're not careful. Truly adorable.

Jim

That's very neat.
I think Mildred really fits an owl for a name.

Andrew

Cool shots, you've gotta love those owls. I've been blessed with large owl populations to shoot at since returning to Utah.
Here's a couple of recent shots of Short-eared Owls. There's a 3-4 mile area about 45 minutes from the house where it's the norm to see 1/2 dozen or so working the fields up to about 9:00 A.M.

Great shots, Jim. I'd love to have access to them in the field.

The great thing about Mildred was that I was laying on the ground within 2 feet of her and she was very comfortable with me there. Camera and all.

I'm sure I'll never get as close to a Screech again but it was a wonderful experience.

Jim

Jim,

Never say never. I saw this young owl near the side of the road one morning. At first I thought it was a pile of Buffalo dung but when back to look and seen it was an owl. I was able to get within minimum focusing distance and shoot several frames. While position for more shots another owl I did not even see took off from about 1 yard behind me. The more time I spend in the field the more these wonderful events happen. You've just got to keep your eyes open and be ready.

Hey Jim,
when you mistake an owl for Buffalo dung and not Rottweiler poop I tend to think we may live in different environments .

Here in Orlando, Florida there simply aren't as many opportunities to stumble on wildlife as other places in the country. However, when those opportunities do present themselves, I try to be ready.

Here's a shot of an owl taken at Disney's Animal Kingdom. The owl was being used to instruct people about preservation and was sitting on the arm of the lecturer.



I went into the backyard one day and found this hawk sitting on the neighbor's swingset. She gave me the time to get my camera and my Sigma 70-200 zoom and here's one of the shots.



As you say, nature does present itself regardless of where we are. We just have to be ready for it.

Thanks for sharing,

Jim

Jim,

Believe me, I know what you mean. I spent from 1995 - 2005 back on the east coast in the DC area and my photography (and sanity) truly suffered. As soon as I retired from the Army I passed up on all the six figure jobs offers in DC and headed back out west. We may be poorer financially now, but we are richer in every other way!

Jim,

That last photo of the owl is phenominal.

James