This individual Short-eared Owl has had a significant effect on the focus of my life as a bird photographer and nature lover.
1/1250, f/8, ISO 500, Canon 7D, Canon EF500mm f/4L IS USM, not baited, set up or called in
I encountered her on a foggy morning almost exactly 5 years ago at Red Rock Lakes National Wildlife Refuge. She was right next to the road and because of the fog we didn’t even see her until we were quite close. Surprised that she hadn’t flown off I stopped my pickup and photographed her for about 14 minutes as the fog slowly cleared out. She paid very little attention to my pickup and spent much of her time scanning the grasses below her for prey, as she’s doing here. Even though it was beginning to clear out the effects of the fog are still visible in this image.
This bird literally enchanted me. This was one of my first trips to the Centennial Valley and the first time I’d ever been this close to the species for any amount of time. Watching such a beautiful creature as she went about her business and accepted my presence as she did so was fulfilling to the point that I can’t even describe it. This bird is a significant part of the reason that in the ensuing five years I’ve invested so much time, effort and even financial resources into camping trips to the Centennial Valley. I’ve photographed quite a few Short-eared Owls in the valley since then but this particular owl was the one that kept lingering in my mind and bringing me back.
Which leads me to… yup, you may have guessed it. Later today we head for the valley once again on a camping/photo trip. The weather looks good, fires and smoke have diminished and by tonight most of the holiday crowds should be back home preparing for their work/school week.
How could I resist?
Ron
Note: Regular readers know the drill: I’ll attempt to publish daily posts (and reply to at least some comments) from the road but due to extremely limited access to reliable internet that’s always a hit or miss proposition. Thanks for your patience if it becomes problematic.
The hint of fog just emphasizes the beautiful detail in the eye and face. Wonderful image!
It’s a magical photo. My husband and I saw a pair of Great Horned Owls last night. They were both sitting on a telephone pole in our neighborhood.
Gorgeous photo! It just dawned on me where you go when you go to the Centennial Valley. My husband and I went to Red Rock Lakes National Wildlife Refuge in May for my birthday drive (an annual event!) That was my first visit, but I didn’t even know it was in the Centennial Valley. We just headed north from our home in Idaho Falls and that’s where we ended up that day! I hope to return to do some serious birding up there!
This is one of my favorite images of yours, Ron. I hope you have a print as large as your magpie that you can enjoy several times a day.
Happy Camping!
Thank you so much for sharing a truly special moment.
Enjoy the fresh air a new adventure brings and stay excited for that next special moment – right around that bend up ahead …
Hi!
Love your Owl! Like to read all your friends comments! Have a great trip! Lots of fun, too.
Awe and wonder.
Which I hope your trip is full of. Full to overflowing.
Enchanting photo!! Enjoy your time in the Centennial. It is clear here in Dillon, so hopefully down that way, too. Look forward to some more beautiful shots! Enjoy!!
When you go on a camping trip, I get excited…makes me think I ‘m going, too and I know you’re going to come back with some good stuff!
I can totally relate, Ron, especially the indescribable fulfilling feeling when they accept our presence and continue with their business.
Beautiful photo, Ron. All those curves make for an elegant composition.
A beautiful shot Ron – owls of all sorts are fascinating to me – we usually have Great Horned nesting in our yard and the young provide endless entertainment. Apparently they have their rules as they never bother the cats IN the yard. 🙂 Have a GREAT trip.
You’re lucky about the cats, Judy – they’re known to take them. Apparently your owls know their boundaries, sort of…
Simply gorgeous shot Ron! Hope you have a great time and find lots to shoot.
Charlotte
Thanks, Charlotte. I hope so too.
Ron, I know that place of wonder and miraculous connection well. There’s no real way to describe it beyond that it’s visceral, primal and profound, resonating deeply in your souls like an ancient song that celebrates life. Patty Chadwick, thank you so much for sharing the wakan concept. I hadn’t yet encountered that word, but it’s not unusual that Native American language often reaches those places where our language just doesn’t go. I find our language is so often inadequate to describe the magic and wonderment of life and I contemplate that reality frequently. It’s a mark of our disconnection to the profound. That we cannot reach into our language to describe these things easily and regularly seems to mean that we’re not aware of where our language needs to go. Just wandering philosophical thoughts…
“Just wandering philosophical thoughts…”
I often have similar thoughts, Laura – especially when I’m driving on long trips so I know what’s coming later this morning…
That’s EXACTLY why I love a good road trip Ron!! I got thinkin’ and ponderin’ to do 😉
That’s EXACTLY why I love a good road trip, Ron! I got thinkin’ and ponderin’ to do 😉 Do you carry a tape recorder so you don’t lose those profound thoughts when they happen? I do.
Ron, I’m sending you off with many wishes for birdies all over the place for you to capture on this trip. Your experience with the owl 5 years ago was a joy to read. Those special moments in Nature just make our hearts swell. Again, Patty has such a gift for words I can’t come close. We will be awaiting the results of what the Centennial Valley gives you!!
I hope I have some results to show you when I return, Jo Ann. As you know, sometimes nature cooperates and sometimes it doesn’t. Thank you.
Another beautiful encounter.
Some birds are very special allowing us to share it’s intimacy. How can we forget those moments…
Have a safe journey.
“Some birds are very special allowing us to share it’s intimacy. How can we forget those moments…”
I can tell that you “get it”, Jorge. Thank you.
I understand why this beautiful owl would have been such an influence on you. Connecting with animals is an amazing experience. Hope you have a great trip filled with lots of birds and no unwanted people.
Thanks, Susan. And yes, at the risk of sounding like an antisocial hermit the fewer people the better…
Ron, you don’t sound like an antisocial hermit. You sounds like someone who does not appreciate having their nature experience disturbed by loud, thoughtless people. Exactly like me. 🙂
Thanks for the wiggle room on being antisocial, Susan.
EXCELLENT shot Ron!! Wonderful image, beautiful bird! I agree with Patty.
Great time to go camping, when the crowds have gone and you have the peace and quiet of nature! Have a great trip wish you luck on your shots!
I’m glad you like it, Dick – thank you.
I’ve been looking forward to this trip for some time. We wanted desperately to go in August but the fires and smoke up there were just awful.
I understand, but the reward will be the lack of people and the increase in wildlife and landscape scenes!!
That is the essence of owl…perfection!!! Love the intensityvof the hunter’s focus, the slightly hunkered pose, the feather detail (especially in the facial disk), the angles… of the body and the weathered post, the subtlety of the misty background, the simplicity….a classic!!! And because it’s an owl……
I think the feeling you had might have been what some Lakota would call “wakan”…a combination of holy, sacred, euphoria, connectedness and just, plain, incredible joy….hard to translate…
That’s supposed to be “wakan”…evil iPad is at it again! Have a great, no-crowds, opportunity-filled trip…
“And because it’s an owl……”
Thanks, Patty. There’s just something about owls, isn’t there? I fixed the typo.