Had A Chat

Gallery: AvianPosted July 1, 2012298 views8 comments

Olympus E5, ZD300f2.8, 2xTC, ISO100, f5.7, 1/1000 resting on vehicle window

Out again this evening and had a little chat with one of my Short-eared Owl "friends".

This girl (I think) sat for a long time in the heat and let me take about 150 shots before I left her sitting there. She gave me a lot of poses and was trying to keep cool in the dry heat. I actually do talk to her, and she is quite comfortable given the situation.

Comments

8 comments

Comment posted by Suzanne Huot on July 1, 2012 at 10:41 AM

Priceless expression captured .Great detail .Wow ! wish I had a few little friends like this .

Registered on December 28, 2010, 32 Posts, 240 Comments

Comment posted by SandyRichardsBrown on July 1, 2012 at 12:40 PM

"The Owl Whisperer"..

Wonderful "panting" pose, great detail, and sweet BG. I'm never a fan of bird poop, but that's always personal taste.
Seems just a bit tight on the left , to me.
Sweet image!
Sandy

Registered on November 24, 2003, 3937 Posts, 12909 Comments

Comment posted by Patrick O'Healy on July 1, 2012 at 3:38 PM

Remarkable shot. She looks like she was yawning. Were you telling her a story you had told her before? She almost looks like a cat. You captured something special.

Registered on March 13, 2011, 326 Posts, 1679 Comments

Comment posted by Jim DeWitt on July 2, 2012 at 12:22 AM

Wonderful behavior capture, Dave. Note she is holding her wings away from her body as well, and is in a more rect stance, all to radiate excess heat. Usually Short-ears seek the shade, too, but maybe that wasn't an option for her. A great photo.

Registered on August 28, 2006, 1240 Posts, 8506 Comments

Comment posted by David Williams on July 2, 2012 at 8:00 AM

In answer to a couple of questions here. This was actually part of a yawn sequence she had - maybe I was boring her...

Also, there was no shade for a great distance, and she held her wings out more than this at times to help with air circulation, too. She winked at me a lot, though, so maybe she was just leading me on.....

Registered on March 8, 2005, 315 Posts, 2291 Comments

Comment posted by KC Choo on July 2, 2012 at 10:00 AM

Trust you gleamed a great deal of wisdom from your chats with this Owl, Dave, perhaps a prediction as to the winner of this July's Open Champion, or a swing tip. Love the photo!

Registered on November 15, 2004, 519 Posts, 8278 Comments

Comment posted by Rebecka on July 3, 2012 at 9:36 AM

She was definitely leading you on - look at those come-hither bedroom eyes.

Truly a wonderful shot. Love the fact that she looks SO relaxed while being photographed. She obviously didn't mind your presence at all.

Registered on February 5, 2009, 170 Posts, 924 Comments

Comment posted by keith mitchell on July 4, 2012 at 12:29 PM

David sounds like a very interesting Owl to work with,do like the yawn ,lovely shot.

Registered on July 12, 2008, 127 Posts, 1735 Comments