Pygmy Owl

Gallery: AvianPosted June 7, 20063,541 views35 comments

I went out the other day to shoot photos of the many small neo-tropical migrants here to breed. One of my favorite tricks is to imitate the call of a Pygmy Owl. It usually brings in quite a few birds. So, while calling, look who showed up!

It was really something. Here was this little owl in front of me calling while Blue-gray Gnatcatchers, Chipping Sparrows, Lesser Goldfinches, Western Tanagers, Black-capped and Chestnut-backed Chickadees, Ash-throated Flycatchers, and Hermit Thrushes were swirling all around! It was quite an experience that has happened to me only a few other times. But, those times I didn't have my camera! As usual, all comments welcome and thanks for looking. 20D, 500mm+1.4, 1/160th, f/9, 400 ISO.

Dick Cronberg
Oregon

Comments

35 comments

Comment posted by David Williams on June 7, 2006 at 1:12 AM

That sounds like quite an experience, Dick. This little guy looks like he is ready to spring into action at any moment.......beautiful shot!

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

Comment posted by Nate Chappell on June 7, 2006 at 1:56 AM

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

Comment posted by Dennis Patrick Lor on June 7, 2006 at 3:48 AM

Awesome shot of the pygmy owl Dick! I'm jeaolus

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

Comment posted by chris hajee on June 7, 2006 at 4:07 AM

very nice, I love to see those little owls

Registered on January 18, 2005, 179 Posts, 2384 Comments

Comment posted by Joe Vincent on June 7, 2006 at 5:41 AM

Great story Dick! Nice shot also of a bird I have never seen in the wild!

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

Comment posted by Glenn Bartley on June 7, 2006 at 7:04 AM

Fantastic shot Dick

Registered on June 29, 2004, 448 Posts, 1180 Comments

Comment posted by Dave Courtenay on June 7, 2006 at 7:20 AM

Fabulous

Registered on July 18, 2005, 56 Posts, 462 Comments

Comment posted by Bill Garber on June 7, 2006 at 7:23 AM

Great Capture!

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

Comment posted by Kevin Thompson on June 7, 2006 at 8:05 AM

Wow! Killer stuff Dick!

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

Comment posted by David Schwaegler on June 7, 2006 at 8:17 AM

Wonderful. Great story too.

Registered on December 4, 2003, 232 Posts, 1652 Comments

Comment posted by Bob Steele on June 7, 2006 at 8:19 AM

Killer shot, Dick!! I hope you got some verticals too.

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

Comment posted by Dan Walters on June 7, 2006 at 8:21 AM

Great image. I really love the eyes and the clean background.

Registered on October 30, 2005, 405 Posts, 3693 Comments

Comment posted by W. Tracy Parnell on June 7, 2006 at 9:28 AM

The eyes and background make it!

Registered on March 4, 2004, 27 Posts, 1638 Comments

Comment posted by Michal Jonczyk on June 7, 2006 at 10:25 AM

This is one hell of a shot. Beautiful background. I really like the position of the owl. The quality is stiking.
Congratulations,

Michal

Registered on September 7, 2005, 25 Posts, 196 Comments

Comment posted by KC Choo on June 7, 2006 at 10:29 AM

Fantastic, Dick!

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

Comment posted by Doug Backlund on June 7, 2006 at 1:27 PM

I hear these owls almost every trip I make west, but I have yet to see one. This one is dynamite!

Registered on September 29, 2005, 252 Posts, 3380 Comments

Comment posted by Neil Losin on June 7, 2006 at 3:44 PM

Hi Dick,

Lucky you! As with so many "lucky" experiences, it sounds like this one adds up to many, many hours in the field. Great job capturing this little guy.

Registered on September 16, 2005, 145 Posts, 3524 Comments

Comment posted by Jake Dingel on June 7, 2006 at 4:29 PM

excellent

Registered on April 24, 2006, 34 Posts, 633 Comments

Comment posted by Brian E. Small on June 7, 2006 at 5:33 PM

Fantastic Dick...............congrats!!

Registered on November 1, 2003, 147 Posts, 933 Comments

Comment posted by Graeme Guy on June 7, 2006 at 8:18 PM

Hi Dick
This is a nice shot.....your call must work because he clearly fancies you.

How big is he/she?
Kind regards
Graeme

Registered on January 19, 2004, 33 Posts, 438 Comments

Comment posted by LG Price on June 7, 2006 at 8:36 PM

Terrific! Appreciate the story too.

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

Comment posted by Satie Sharma on June 7, 2006 at 10:57 PM

Awesome capture, Dick!

Registered on November 11, 2003, 189 Posts, 5335 Comments

Comment posted by Dick Cronberg on June 8, 2006 at 12:15 AM

This owl is the size of a robin.

Dick Cronberg
Oregon

Registered on March 21, 2005, 158 Posts, 594 Comments

Comment posted by Henrique Pires on June 8, 2006 at 4:50 AM

Realy beautiful eyes in contrast against the background.

Registered on June 4, 2006, 10 Posts, 77 Comments

Comment posted by Prashant Khapane on June 8, 2006 at 7:29 AM

Registered on November 1, 2003, 492 Posts, 4580 Comments

Comment posted by Ken Archer on June 8, 2006 at 8:53 AM

Great shot Dick, I could sure use your calling talents here on the Olympic Penisula.

Ken Archer

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

Comment posted by Richard Ditch on June 8, 2006 at 3:49 PM

A wonderful image as posted.

I've only whistled in this species once, in the Huachuca Mountains of SE AZ, and it was a complete surprise when it showed up. I wish I'd have gotten a shot like this!

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

Comment posted by Bryan McCarty on June 8, 2006 at 4:10 PM

Awesome, those feet are something else.

Registered on March 26, 2006, 64 Posts, 316 Comments

Comment posted by Søren Koch on June 9, 2006 at 8:53 AM

Outstanding in every way.

Registered on March 30, 2006, 30 Posts, 42 Comments

Comment posted by Krijn Trimbos on June 9, 2006 at 12:01 PM

Incredebly cool Dick! Excellent shot in every way!

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

Comment posted by Ed Dubois on June 9, 2006 at 2:05 PM

Great shot Dick!

Sorry to be so long getting to view this - real life keeps getting in the way. Nice to know you're so effective when you give a hoot!!

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

Comment posted by richard ettlinger on June 9, 2006 at 7:36 PM

Great shot!

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

Comment posted by David Kjaer on June 12, 2006 at 7:28 AM

Wow Richard missed this on the Avian site - cracking shot. Well desrved EP!

David