Hawk Owl in deep snow

Gallery: AvianPosted March 16, 20067,026 views29 comments

Took this image of a Northern Hawk Owl catching a vole in deep snow a couple of weeks ago. We still have one very popular Hawk owl in my local area, and this day I managed to get a photo, which I have actually been visualizing since 1983 when I saw my first Hawk Owl as a big boy.

Back then, the Owl flew right against me (touched my hair) and grapped a mouse in the snow behind me. It was laying in the snow for a few seconds with the wings spread out. I was actually having a camera with a little 200mm tele, but I was so surprised that I completely forgot to take a shot.

Now 23 years and quite a few Hawk Owls later, I finally got an Hawk Owl in the same situation, with the camera gear ready

20D + 500/4; iso400, 1/640 f6.3, handheld, full-frame.

Comments

29 comments

Comment posted by Dennis Patrick Lor on March 16, 2006 at 1:24 PM

Congratulations on getting this shot Helge! I've seen shots like this before of Great Greys but never Hawk Owls.

Registered on January 15, 2006, 91 Posts, 2052 Comments

Comment posted by Keith A Anderson on March 16, 2006 at 1:24 PM

Cool! Way to be ready when the opportunity finally arose again. Great shot. As with all owl shots I love the eyes.

Registered on February 13, 2006, 166 Posts, 1818 Comments

Comment posted by ernesto scott on March 16, 2006 at 1:32 PM

Wonderful capture and image. Love the eyes. Too bad about the left wing tip.

Registered on February 25, 2006, 1 Posts, 6 Comments

Comment posted by Nate Chappell on March 16, 2006 at 1:53 PM

Great shot Helge, my only nit is the left wing tip. Nice story too.

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

Comment posted by David Kjaer on March 16, 2006 at 1:55 PM

Hi Helge

This is a wonderful bit of behaviour you have captured and the look on the face of this endearing species is captivating. Forget the clipped wing - you take the shot and boy what a shot one of the best owl images I have seen!

David

Registered on January 4, 2006, 128 Posts, 4170 Comments

Comment posted by Josh Anderson on March 16, 2006 at 2:02 PM

The wing being clipped does not affect this image in the least. Very cool shot.

The reason this image is effective is because is shows a behavior one does not normally see. And the most important part of the bird, the eyes, are in sharp focus.

Registered on June 2, 2005, 493 Posts, 2996 Comments

Comment posted by Karel on March 16, 2006 at 2:20 PM

Very cool shot. I like owl's expression!!

Registered on February 7, 2005, 77 Posts, 111 Comments

Comment posted by Krijn Trimbos on March 16, 2006 at 2:50 PM

Excellent photo Helge. Good job being ready for the shot this time, birds do the strangest things when you least expect it and being ready on times like that isn't easy. Nice low angle to, just a great shot!

Registered on October 18, 2005, 260 Posts, 2979 Comments

Comment posted by Ed Dubois on March 16, 2006 at 4:01 PM

WOW.

Well done capturing this Helge, especially handholding the 500.

Registered on February 22, 2005, 129 Posts, 4739 Comments

Comment posted by Kevin Thompson on March 16, 2006 at 5:09 PM

Excellent capture Helge

Registered on March 15, 2005, 114 Posts, 2639 Comments

Comment posted by Bill Garber on March 16, 2006 at 5:37 PM

Very Nice!
Wonderful Shot.

Registered on November 17, 2003, 704 Posts, 3535 Comments

Comment posted by KC Choo on March 16, 2006 at 6:14 PM

I have no problems with the clipped wing in this - it's a fantastic shot!

Love the tale, too!

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

Comment posted by Kenneth Kijewski on March 16, 2006 at 7:36 PM

This is wonderful, Helge!! What a great moment you've captured!!

Registered on February 17, 2004, 166 Posts, 3390 Comments

Comment posted by Dane Glueck on March 16, 2006 at 7:50 PM

Awesome

Registered on November 10, 2003, 193 Posts, 1748 Comments

Comment posted by Catherine Schultz on March 16, 2006 at 8:07 PM

To me, this is highly unusual compare to most photographs of the same object. I like it very much because it looks so real, and also quite cute!!

Registered on February 25, 2006, 4 Posts, 12 Comments

Comment posted by George Palagian on March 16, 2006 at 8:35 PM

Fantastic,I've never seen anything quite like this.

Registered on March 3, 2006, 113 Posts, 1444 Comments

Comment posted by Ken Archer on March 16, 2006 at 9:04 PM

Sweet shot Helge, I'm happy you got a second chance with the owl. There are a few situations for which I would love a second try at.

Ken Archer

Registered on October 28, 2004, 222 Posts, 6683 Comments

Comment posted by John Steed on March 16, 2006 at 9:27 PM

Great shot!
Fantastic to see some behavioural images such as this.
Lucky you got your 2nd chance, although I can't imagine what it's like having to wait so long to get it.
It was obviously worth the wait!

Registered on March 5, 2006, 2 Posts, 24 Comments

Comment posted by LG Price on March 16, 2006 at 10:25 PM

What a great shot. Couldn't be better.

Registered on March 9, 2005, 160 Posts, 1500 Comments

Comment posted by Scott Evers on March 16, 2006 at 10:36 PM

This is a superb shot. The eyes are amazing. Very well done!
Scott

Registered on March 11, 2006, 12 Posts, 243 Comments

Comment posted by Bob Steele on March 17, 2006 at 10:37 AM

Outstanding in every way!!

Registered on November 1, 2003, 354 Posts, 13896 Comments

Comment posted by Joe Vincent on March 17, 2006 at 12:55 PM

Helge, this is great! I wish it was mine!

Registered on August 16, 2005, 69 Posts, 792 Comments

Comment posted by richard ettlinger on March 17, 2006 at 6:18 PM

Fantastic capture!!!

Registered on June 17, 2004, 377 Posts, 1565 Comments

Comment posted by Toni Lankerd on March 20, 2006 at 8:22 AM

Awesome capture, Helge! Congrats on the EP and well deserved!!

Registered on January 3, 2005, 360 Posts, 4004 Comments

Comment posted by Jack Graham on March 20, 2006 at 10:26 PM

WOW1 I'd rename this image " The EYE'S have it!".

Wonderful!!

JG

Registered on November 26, 2003, 158 Posts, 574 Comments

Comment posted by Thomas Biggs on March 21, 2006 at 2:21 PM

Wow!! Is an understatement!!

Registered on January 13, 2005, 310 Posts, 1257 Comments

Comment posted by Hazel Billingsley on March 21, 2006 at 6:36 PM

Hi Helge

The clipped wing doesn't bother me - the Owl just grabs for your attention! Awesome capture & I enjoyed reading the info.

Registered on March 19, 2006, 25 Posts, 198 Comments

Comment posted by Basil Greber on March 22, 2006 at 5:18 AM

I agree with most others on the wing clip - in my opinion it even adds to the image by getting the viewer even closer to the owl than if the wing were there. I feel like I could touch it...

Basil

Registered on November 8, 2005, 219 Posts, 1340 Comments

Comment posted by Charles Miller on June 6, 2007 at 9:54 AM

Great capture! Those eyes are terrific - an excellent behavior photo

Registered on June 5, 2007, 5 Posts, 86 Comments