Owl Post 2025 (Short-Eared Owl)
Barely had a chance to unfold my portable chair and sit down before this guy came gliding in from behind me and then proceeded to land on this post about 50 feet away. Flickr folks please left click for more detail.
Brain Freeze (Short-Eared Owl)
After several failed attempts to catch a vole, this short-eared owl's face became caked with snow.
Totally Stumped Again (Short Eared Owl)
Lots of nice perches at the venue on Saturday. Flickr folks please left click for more detail.
Screamin' Short-Ear (Short-Eared Owl)
Alan!......Alan!, Steve!......Steve!
Actually everyone, it is more like a screeching cat. This shortie was letting his neighbor know that he was getting too close to his hunting territory.
The White Knight (Short-Eared Owl)
Probably the whitest short-ear I have ever seen.
After The Snow (Short-Eared Owl)
Looked a lot different after the snow squall moved through the area. The added light reflected from below was a welcome addition too.
Snow Day (Short-Eared Owl)
Here is another one with the short-ear flying in the opposite direction. Have never worked this venue in these conditions. Challenging but fun! Flickr Folks please left click for more detail.
Total White Out (Short-Eared Owl)
when a freak blizzard hits, a short-eared owl continues to hunt as the snow builds up on its face. Flickr Folks please left click for more detail.
Ears Up! (Short-Eared Owl)
This one taken of a short-eared owl a couple of weeks ago over on the mainland later in the afternoon.
Looking Back (Short-Eared Owl)
Another perch shot in evening sunlight. Hard to believe that I have been photographing these guys for over 20 years now. I always look forward to these winter encounters with them as they have brought me a lot of joy over the years.
The Dark Female (Short-Eared Owl)
Love the wing position on this one. One of the cool things about short-eared owls is that they can range in colour like this bird from very dark to almost white. Generally speaking, the females are the darker birds and the males tend to be the lighter colored ones. It can be a real guessing game though depending on their location in the world and their environmental adaptation.
Resting in The Grass (Short-Eared Owl)
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Picture Tells a Story (Short-Eared Owl)
Lots of people out at the venue yesterday enjoying the calm conditions and good light. Flickr folks please left click for more detail.
Third Trip (Short-Eared Owl)
Here is an image from our third trip to the mainland yesterday. Still lots of shortie action to be had.
In Evening Sunlight (Short-Eared Owl)
A short-eared owl takes a break from hunting on a low piece of driftwood in the marsh.
Coming Straight at Me! (Again)
It's funny how short-eared owls tend to do that. Or any owl for that matter.
Last Flight of The Evening (Short-Eared Owl)
A lovely light colored male short-ear makes a final flight catching the last rays of sunlight on its underside as it glides past me.
Incoming! (Short-Eared Owl)
Another leftover from last month that never got posted. Must have just caught it in between showers judging by the raindrops. This one taken on the lower mainland at the end of November.
Female Short-Ear Portrait (Short-Eared Owl)
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Propeller Bird 2024 (Short-Eared Owl)
I get one of these every now and then. Thought you might enjoy it.
Taking a Break (Short-Eared Owl)
A light-feathered male short-eared owl perches atop an ancient stump in the salt marsh, taking a well-deserved rest following its hunt.
Wing Dip (Short-Eared Owl)
Thought this one was kind of pretty. With just a hint of environment.
Single White Male #2 (Short-Eared Owl)
A wings up version with more body detail and a somewhat tighter crop.
You Can Bank On It (Short-Eared Owl)
A male short-Eared Owl Makes a hard bank to the right during a hunt in the rain.
Single White Male (Short-Eared Owl)
This male bird is very white and has very little pigment in his body. The female short-ears are darker with more orange plumage.
Rainy Day Short-Ear (Short-Eared Owl)
It rained a bit at the venue yesterday but not enough to stop the short-eared owls from hunting and us from having a great time.
First Mainland Trip Since January (Short-Eared Owl)
Lots of shorties over on the mainland. I am very sore this morning from my trip but happy with the results. It is once again "The Year of The Short-Ear".
Interesting Head Position #2 (Short-Eared Owl)
The landscape Version.
Interesting Head Position (Short-Eared Owl)
Must have her eye on Pius who is standing farther along the hedgerow..
Watching Out For Ravens (Short-Eared Owl)
A female short-eared owl keeps a close watch on some ravens flying near by over her head.
Last Leaf of Autumn 2024 (Short-Eared Owl)
I really love some of the dynamic poses that short-eared owls make when they hunt.
Looking Back (Short-Eared Owl)
Loved the pastel colours in this one.
Short Ear Environmental (Short-Eared Owl)
A female short-eared owl flies low during a hunt over some colourful autumn swamp grass..
Flying Head (Short-Eared Owl)
Just when you thought that Halloween was over. Kind of looks like a flying Jack-o-lantern.
Full Frame Shot (Short-Eared Owl)
This image is not cropped in any way! Posted this to show how close you can get to a short-eared owl before you cut off the wings at 800mm. Did not have time to switch out the 2X on the 400mm. I may do the bare 400mm at a later time as a comparison but it would probably be just marginally sharper. I may even be able to manipulate it a bit more in post to make it indiscernible from the bare lens. Flickr folks please left click for full detail.
Autumn Leaf Background 2024 (Short-Eared Owl)
This owl flew straight at us as we stood out at the venue today. Totally unexpected and no time to change out my 2X teleconverter. Had to do a few acrobatics to try to keep it in the frame. The most fun shooting in a long time! Flickr folks please left click for more detail.
Extremely Close Encounter (Short-Eared Owl)
Pius and I had a great time out at the venue today. Almost got run down by a short-eared owl. Have only had a couple of experiences like this in the past but not for many years. He was so intent on hunting that he did not see us until he was 15 to 20 feet away before finally veering off. Flickr folks please left click for maximum detail.
Tower of Power 2024 (Short-Eared Owl)
Loved the tri-colour background on this one. Enjoy!
Wings Up Version (Short-Eared Owl)
I think this image is a bit closer than the wings down one. Enjoy!
Flying Towards The Camera (Short-Eared Owl)
We had this one owl that hunted continually for over an hour yesterday. She came by pretty close a few times before continuing on her hunt. Please left click for more detail.
Portrait Shot (Short-Eared Owl)
Here is one with some better eye contact. Went down low on one knee in order to get a continuous background.
A Well Deserved Rest (Short-Eared Owl)
Took this image today as the short-eared owl decided to take a break from hunting on an old driftwood stump out near the ocean. The owl had been hunting non stop for nearly an hour.
Smile For The Camera! (Short-Eared Owl)
Another image that was never posted from last year. Taken hand-held with the 400mm and 2X teleconverter. Enjoy!
Winter Raptor Season Approaches! (Short-Eared Owl)
Winter raptor season should be starting in the next month or so. Can't wait! Here is a short eared owl shot from last year that was never posted. The 2X teleconverter performed quite well on the 400 F/2.8.
Morning Light in His Wings (Short-Eared Owl)
This image captured shortly after reaching the venue first thing in the morning.
Roosting Down Low (Short-Eared Owl)
After a successful hunt a short-eared owl rests down low in the marsh grass near the ocean. Flickr folks please left click for more detail.
Ocean in Her Eye (Short-Eared Owl)
If you zoom this up you can see the shoreline of the ocean reflected in her eye.
Another Short-Eared Owl in Flight
Got a lot of images like this with the short-ear looking straight into the camera. Flickr folks please left click for greater detail.
Vertical Bank (Short-Eared Owl)
Here is another one of those weird vertical bank shots from our trip.
Shortie Environmental Shot (Short-Eared Owl)
The conditions are rarely perfect for shooting these guys and as you can see they are usually found in a similar situation to this image . I guess if wildlife photography wasn't as challenging then everyone would be doing it.
Look Me in The Eye (Short-Eared Owl)
Another shortie close up portrait from our weekend shoot.
Friendly Bird (Short-Eared Owl)
This particular short-eared owl circled us several times at close range before settling on a near by log. Flickr folks might want to click a couple of times for more detail.
Down By The Sea (Short-Eared Owl)
A male short-eared owl rests on a driftwood log down near the ocean. Flickr folks please left click for more detail.
Banking Left (Short-Eared Owl)
Love it when you can see both eyes in flight. Flickr folks please left click for better detail.
Short-Ear Portrait in Morning Light (Short-Eared Owl)
The first close up perching image of a short-eared owl for me in a long time. Flickr folks please left click for more detail.
Shortie Environmental (Short-Eared Owl)
Another image from the Boxing Day shoot yesterday.
Low Light Shoot (Short-Eared Owl)
Managed a few images at the usual venue where the owl came a bit closer today. Not bad for low light situations and a 2X teleconverter.
Banking Right Looking at The Camera (Short-Eared Owl)
One from this afternoon's shoot.
Better Eye Contact (Short-Eared Owl)
The only problem with images like this is that the owl's wings are so big that the head of the owl ends up being only an inch and a half wide before the wings are out of frame. Flickr folks please left click for better detail.
Short-Ear Glide 2023 (Short-Eared Owl)
Liked the background in this image.
Skimming The Grass (Short-Eared Owl)
In this image a short-eared owl hunts at only a couple of feet off of the ground in search for voles.
Pop Up 2023 (Short-Eared Owl)
A short-eared owl pops up out of the tall grass to begin its evening hunt.
Takin' a Dive (Short-Eared Owl)
A short-eared owl dives on an unsuspecting vole in the deep grass near the ocean.
Banking Left (Short-Eared Owl)
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Golden Light Short-Ear (Short-Eared Owl)
Had some fun over on the lower mainland today with short-eared owls.
First Short-Ear of The Season (Short-Eared Owl)
Nice to see these guys again. Will try to get a bit closer with a better background next time.
Coming Out of The Cat Tails (Short-Eared Owl)
Another goodie from BP earlier in the season.
WIngs Up Version (Short-Eared Owl)
Got a few images up against the broom last week.
Side View in The Sunlight (Short-Eared Owl)
Another image from last week over on the mainland.
Out of The Blue (Short-Eared Owl)
A bit of a shadow on this one but not bad as regards clarity for 800mm equivalent hand-held.
Golden Light Glide (Short-Eared Owl)
This image taken in the last half an hour before sunset.
WIngs Up Version (Short-Eared Owl)
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Boo! (Short-Eared Owl)
Had another one of these "Pop Up" owls yesterday. Always good for keeping you on your toes.
Shortie Close Up (Short-Eared Owl)
Lots of good shortie images to be had at the venue yesterday. I will be processing for at least another couple of days.
Another Sunny Day Short-Ear (Short-Eared Owl)
A struggle for good images yesterday in shadows and harsh light.
Banking Into Golden Light (Short-Eared Owl)
I have been holding back on some of my short-eared owl images from last month so as not to be too repetitious. Here is one taken during the golden hour just before sunset.
Don't Go Into The Light! (Short-Eared Owl)
Nice position for me but not so great for these guys. Can't imagine what they were thinking.
Skimming Over The Bulrushes (Short-Eared Owl)
Still a few good shots left from my last two trips to Brunswick Point.
Pop Up (Short-Eared Owl)
About a hundred feet from where we were standing this short-eared owl just popped up suddenly out of the grass. Missed the initial burst shot but managed to catch him in mid air after a couple of wing beats.
Twilight Glide (short-eared owl)
Just after sunset a short-eared owl glides by during a hunt.
Cloudy Morning Flight (Short-Eared Owl)
Worth a left click or two for better detail.
Hunting in The Bulrushes (Short-Eared Owl)
Another frame from one of my trips over to the mainland.
Simple But Pretty (Short-Eared Owl)
A sky shot from Saturday.
Aerial Combat (Short-Eared Owls)
Plenty of territorial sparring going on at the venue over the weekend.
Saving The Best For Last (Short-Eared Owl)
This image also taken before the sun came out in the morning.
Soft Light Short-Ear (Short-Eared Owl)
Taken in the morning before the sun came out.
Golden Light Short-Ear (Short-Eared Owl)
This particular owl circled around us and barked for almost two minutes after we inadvertently disturbed it while it was eating a mouse somewhere in the grass. We were just trying to get back to the dyke and didn't even know it was there.
In Hunting Mode (Short-Eared Owl)
A lovely display of patterns and colors in this image as the short-ear banks during a hunt.
Better Eye Contact (Short Eared Owl)
Lots more to come. Have to charge my batteries 🙂
Evening Sunlight (Short-Eared Owl)
Had some fun on the mainland yesterday. Lots of short-eared owls.
Short-Eared Owl With Fall Background
A distant crop but still pretty.
Olden Golden (Short-Eared Owl)
Here is one from a few years back that I re-worked. I used the frame after this one for the original post as it seemed a bit sharper.
Here is hoping that the shorties come in close like in this image. Can't believe we got shots like this with only 16MP.
Look Into My Eyes (Short-Eared Owl)
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New Filters - Old Photo (Short-Eared Owl)
Another good one from 2016 that was never posted. Left click twice for best detail.
Coming Straight At Me (Short-Eared Owl)
Another image in the series of a short-eared owl flying straight at the camera at close range.
Sunny Day At Boundary Bay (Short-Eared Owl)
Think this was taken on my first trip to Boundary Bay after buying the 1DX Mark 2. A bit of a crop but not too bad.
Shortie On A Snag ( Short-Eared Owl)
Here is another nice one from 2016 that was never posted. I probably won't be getting over to the mainland this winter so you may see me posting more of my oldies but goodies. Perhaps next year?
Autumn Leaf Background (Short-Eared Owl)
Here is one with some nice backlight on the wings and tail.
Boundary Bay Sentinel (Short-Eared Owl)
I am being watched closely in this image by a short-eared owl on one of the snags at Boundary Bay near Ladner.
Extreme Close Encounter (Short-Eared Owl)
This one taken a few years back with the EOS-1D Mark 4. Tried applying some of the new software filters to it. Didn't come out too bad.
