Great Horned Owl

Gallery: AvianPosted April 4, 20152,438 views21 comments

I finally found a Great Horned nest which suits photographers, I almost couldn't believe it was real. I have ALWAYS had hundreds of branches to shoot through. This one has about 6-8 feet to both sides also unobstructed for flight shots approaching and leaving the nest. That isn't much room, so when you see them, you got to be quick about it. She also has 3 owlets...they are hiding below in this image.

The subject was great, but the light was non-existent except for the 5 minutes while mom was on the nest. So had to bump up the ISO.

1DX
500 mm f/4
1/1250 at f/7.1
ISO 5000
EC + 1 1/3

Comments

21 comments

Comment posted by Dennis Plank on April 4, 2015 at 9:58 PM

Great shot, Kurt. Wonderful timing and an excellent job on the exposure. The high iso isn't showing badly at all. I suspect you'll be back a few times before the nestlings leave.

Registered on January 28, 2008, 1767 Posts, 23192 Comments

Comment posted by Keith Bauer on April 4, 2015 at 11:21 PM

Sweet! Gotta love that pose. Nicely captured.

Registered on November 20, 2003, 458 Posts, 4836 Comments

Comment posted by Max Waugh on April 5, 2015 at 12:41 AM

Sweet shot. Sure looks like a great location. Nice job getting the adult sharp... it's so easy to just miss with the focal plane on these types of shots.

Max

Registered on September 26, 2008, 428 Posts, 2329 Comments

Comment posted by Ken Watkins on April 5, 2015 at 2:40 AM

Kurt,
What a great find for you I really hope you can get back with a little more light,
Great image

Registered on December 15, 2010, 1537 Posts, 4877 Comments

Comment posted by Hans Overduin on April 5, 2015 at 6:09 AM

Wow... amazing shot and treasure that spot I'd say

. Hopefully you\ll get some nice colored skies as well at sunset someday..

. Superb image Kurt ! Cheers, Hans

Registered on August 31, 2011, 491 Posts, 3807 Comments

Comment posted by Jefferson Silva on April 5, 2015 at 8:46 AM

Amazing, Kurt.
Very nice timing.

Registered on December 18, 2012, 162 Posts, 975 Comments

Comment posted by Ralph Kerr on April 5, 2015 at 9:08 AM

Congrats on an amazing flight photo. Enjoy watching those owlets grow. They should provide hours of enjoyment.

Registered on January 30, 2007, 369 Posts, 852 Comments

Comment posted by Mark Seaver on April 5, 2015 at 9:16 AM

Neat find and great catch on this shot, Kurt. That's a great pose on mom.

Registered on January 23, 2011, 1103 Posts, 17270 Comments

Comment posted by Thomas Haney on April 5, 2015 at 9:44 AM

What a shot Kurt! Your timing and focus couldn't have been better. Personally I would prefer it a little bit brighter.

Registered on April 7, 2013, 138 Posts, 537 Comments

Comment posted by Richard Ditch on April 5, 2015 at 12:52 PM

Very unusual and unique image for the species in my experience. Nice action and strong composition.

Registered on November 1, 2003, 1031 Posts, 12705 Comments

Comment posted by Charlie VanTassel on April 5, 2015 at 10:42 PM

You da' man, Kurt! I don't know how you get these shots. I don't think I've ever seen out in the daylight. Looks good for such a high iso.

Registered on October 18, 2006, 644 Posts, 4801 Comments

Comment posted by keith mitchell on April 6, 2015 at 4:39 AM

Looks like your high ISP did not cause you a problem Kurt,very well taken shot which I would be very pleased to have.

Keith.

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

Comment posted by Charles Gangas on April 7, 2015 at 7:36 PM

Terrific capture and great find Kurt. Enjoy the owlets growing! devil

Registered on August 12, 2009, 544 Posts, 2414 Comments

Comment posted by Howard Cheek on April 9, 2015 at 10:58 AM

Excellent stop action in the low light, great use of ISO 5000 Kurt.

Especially nice POV & well composed.. The unusual perch/stump compliments nicely with good added interest devil

Registered on July 24, 2008, 1201 Posts, 10758 Comments

Comment posted by Nate Chappell on April 9, 2015 at 10:25 PM

That's awesome Kurt, a unique shot of a Great Horned Owl coming in to it's nest to land. devil

Registered on February 1, 2006, 1158 Posts, 19528 Comments

Comment posted by Ashleigh Scully on April 10, 2015 at 6:28 PM

Awesome shot I love it! Congrats!

Registered on November 4, 2013, 36 Posts, 210 Comments

Comment posted by Paul Breitkreuz on April 12, 2015 at 3:14 PM

devil

Gorgeous one, Kurt.......congratulations on the EP / WP in the avian gallery. This is truly a stunning action shot of the GHO.

Registered on February 25, 2006, 525 Posts, 8448 Comments

Comment posted by Bill Fach on April 12, 2015 at 6:36 PM

Kurt: frown frown spectacular! Congrats on the WP. >=))>

Registered on November 1, 2003, 1805 Posts, 26981 Comments

Comment posted by Hans Overduin on April 15, 2015 at 11:55 AM

Congrats Kurt ! Well-deserved ! Cheers, Hans

Registered on August 31, 2011, 491 Posts, 3807 Comments

Comment posted by Steve Thompson on April 15, 2015 at 4:12 PM

Congratulations on the WP Kurt, expertly captured and well deserved. devil

Registered on August 7, 2014, 125 Posts, 2319 Comments

Comment posted by Kirk Greene on May 5, 2015 at 9:29 PM

WOW. I just renewed my membership after a few years away. As I start to catch up on the impressive work posted on NPN this image jumped off the screen. You have to appreciate the fact that digital cameras now allow us the opportunity to work in low light and still freeze the action. ISO 5000 = 1/1250sec! devil

Registered on May 12, 2004, 191 Posts, 1578 Comments