Eastern screech owls and the use flash

So we have screech owls nesting in our backyard and they have pretty much been there for the past 10 years. Besides getting nest box shots I don't have a lot of images in the files of these little guys. My question is about flash and the use of it during civil twilight. Do you think this is a bad idea? I'd never shoot after dark but I'm wondering about using flash in that last hour of light? Is it a bad idea? Is it worth it because its still pretty much going to look like after dark full flash photos anyway? I also don't want to do anything that would cause them to leave the area and not nest in our yard.

Often screech owls will sit in the sun snoozing so you may not need to use flash. Flash will create some strong shadows too so maybe not ideal. The screech owl that I shot (only one) was completely oblivious to me other than keeping an eye on me so they may not worry about flash, GHO's are always on my roof and don't mind flash at all in my experience. It will give you nice red retinas though and I think you won't like the results. Another option is to use a low powered flashlight and gently paint the owl.

the one time I've had the chance to photograph screech owls, and use flash, the flash didn't phase the bird at all.

I was worried about flashing owls when I went 'owling' some time ago. The guy I was with is an owl expert, and he said a few flashes have no effect on them (other than mild annoyance, which may cause them to take off). So keep it reasonable, no longer than 5-10 min shooting sessions and a few shots, and they shouldn't be too bothered.

I have used flash not only with owls, but many different animals. I have yet to have had a bad reaction to the flash. It is my belief it is no more than a flash of ligthning up close. I have even see animals in zoos ignore large firework displays going off in the area of the zoo. Of course anything like flash used carelessly is not a thing to do.

I am not an expert on anything and I will never claim to be. However, I find it interesting that people say a few flashes have no effect on the animals being flashed. Are these people owls? How do they know? Unless someone has done some rigorous research on this subject that has proven flashing animals with very sensitive eyes does no harm, then I would not assume this. Maybe the owls do not fly when you flash them because they are temporarily blinded by the flash. Would you fly if you could not see where you were going. My point, let us not assume, when we really do not know.

I agree with Ron. I spent 9 weeks on a ship and we sailed 24 hours a day. When we sailed at night we had to be cautious not to use any white lights (only red lamps) because it affected our vision. Sure, if we used a white flashlight and then turned it off, we could still SEE, but it took a good amount of time to get our "night vision" back, whereas there was little or no adjustment needed when using the red light. Additionally, if you're photographing an owl sitting on a branch or perch, they're not moving. Why not do an extended exposure? Or utilize a light source in the general vicinity to add some light to the photo? If I were an owl I certainly wouldn't want to be flashbanged

- Luke

However, I find it interesting that people say a few flashes have no effect on the animals being flashed.

They can, and sometimes do, fly away (with no noticeable problems) after being 'flashed'. In my, rather limited, experience they get more annoyed by being hit with a spot light for a while than a flash... so I think you'd actually annoy the bird less by taking a shot with a flash, than 'gently painting the bird with a light'. Distance can play a big role here. Sure, if you fire your 580 at arms length from your face, you'll be blinded for a while. But fire that flash at yourself from 50 feet away, and it's not going to affect you that much - it just looks like a distant bright light. If you take a shot of an owl at a rehab center, you're probably 10 feet away or less, so clearly flashing the bird is going to have a bigger effect. Not to mention that if one person does it, everyone wants to, and then you're no longer dealing with moderation.

Of course, not taking any pictures at all will keep the bird happiest.

Give it a break people, use common sense! Do you think animals in the wild know to blink before lightning goes off? Do you really think a bunch of photographers are all going to be shooting the same owl at the same time and all using flash?

John whats your point? Lighting is not a direct light source aimed at a subject and we where not talking about a press conference with 10 photographers! We where talking about me using flash on owls in my backyard and if its a good idea or not. Common sense is the one thing that this forum provides by the bucket and I respect all that take the time to post. All that have posted here provided thoughtful and helpful information and thats why I keep coming back to NPN. The way this works is you ask questions and people answer in a respectful tone or move on. The other photographers have provided me with something to think about when it comes to being ethical.

You could use some lighting instead of the flash Doug , and then a high iso with the camera on a tripod. This would not sppok the Owls anywhere near as much.

Thanks Nick and thats the way I'm headed. We watched them last night and they have become so tame to our movements that they hunt right next to you sometime. My wife had one pass so close to her leg over the weekend that she said she felt the brush of his wing on her leg as he pounced on a vole right next to her foot! I had one that used to sit right outside our bedroom window and "winnie" for a mate. So they are happy with us and happy with our yard. My wife runs a bicycle shop and has access to some really great headlights and I think if I'm careful and fast I can make a few frames using one of them and wont bug them to much. Of course like Floris said, "not taking any pictures at all will keep the birds happiest".

John, I am glad you have an opinion and you are welcome to it, but the tone of your post makes me feel like I am an idiot for being conservative when it comes to the affects I have on the wildlife I shoot. I do not appreciate that.

So heres what we did. My wife loaned me a NiteRider LED Headlamp with Li-Ion Battery. She also painted the owl. I got the camera focused she pointed the light at the little guy I poped off about 10 frames and we went back into the house. She had dinner and was already eating it by the time we looked back out. Heres the one I liked the most.