My Holy grail!

[jbird]

I drove down to a place called Buena Vista Grasslands. A refuge about an hour away thats notorious for raptors. As I pulled off the pavement and onto a rutted, dirt/sand/mud/ice road, I caught a glimps of something that made my heart skip two beats! He stayed put while I pulled over and got all rigged up. I jumped a barbed wire fence and carefully approached. Ive read many articles on how approachable these birds are. In fact, many purists frown on getting close because its so easy. well, I have an argument for them. This guy wouldnt let me within 100 yrds before flying off to a new spot. I persued him more but just couldnt get close enough for a quality image :-(

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v283/jbird35/_JDS7379.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v283/jbird35/_JDS7408.jpg

I made my way back to the truck to drive around and find better access. As I rounded the area, keeping an eye on the owl on a mound waaay out there, I suddenly spotted another! This one closer to the road. I pulled up and shot him from the truck but still wasnt happy with the results. This guy was very nervous and I could tell he wouldnt last thru me trying to approach.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v283/jbird35/_JDS7483.jpg

I got a bunch of shots of him flying.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v283/jbird35/_JDS7491.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v283/jbird35/_JDS7487.jpg

There were dozens of hawks hunting the prairie. They all looked different but according to my Audubon app pics, were all variations of rough legged hawks.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v283/jbird35/_JDS7498.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v283/jbird35/_JDS7615.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v283/jbird35/_JDS7528.jpg

I hate shooting in bright sunlight. It plays havok on exposure (especially with a pure white bird) and in turn effects the sharpness and overall quality of the pictures. Regardless, I was very excited to photograph my first Snowy Owl! Its definitly a bucket list achievement!

another 40 degree day here. Somethings just wrong in the jet stream. Supposed to go below zero this weekend tho. Yeeeehaw!

[k.hanley]

Wow --- excellent!!! Well done Jay. Your birding adventures are sure paying off.

Cheers, Ken

[Scott V]

Was that Hedwig? Harry Potters bird?

[Kneedeep]

Great shots jbird!

[Larry S]

jbird,
there have been several articles recently about how far south the snowy owls have
trekked this winter. Maybe lured by the increase in Chik-fil-le(sp?) outlets.
Good job!
Larry S

[jbird]

Oh!! The Harry Potter reference somehow taints the whole experience a little.

[kokaneejr]

No tainting great find. I have also heard about them being more numerous in the states this year. Funny it almost seems to be reversed in his camo in your area. He should be a grass colored owl.:)

I originally thought the holly grail was a Osprey with a fish but I like this better.

Keep it up!

[cruncher]

Beautiful shots. Truly amazing birds.

[Ed Wahl]

Wow Jay, Snowy Owl. Waaaay cool.

Were they selling cigars?

Ed

[Ben J]

Incredible shots of an incredible bird... Before I obsessed over fly fishing for steelhead out here in California, I was an obsessive birder while growing up in Kansas... There were years when Snowy Owls would show up during those very cold "Owl winters". They are amazing and one of my favorite birds along with Great Grey and Short-Eared Owls (I Love Owls!). Beautiful.

[weightforwardfilms]

Fantastic shots. That one of the Snowy Owl flying and looking straight into the lens is amazing. Nice work.

[jbird]

Thank you guys for the nice comments. I feel very fortunate to have seen them!



No tainting great find. I have also heard about them being more numerous in the states this year. Funny it almost seems to be reversed in his camo in your area. He should be a grass colored owl.:)

I originally thought the holly grail was a Osprey with a fish but I like this better.

Keep it up!

This whole part of the world should be covered with snow. Its unusual to have all the exposed grass. I cant imagine having more difficult conditions to spot them. All the little snow patches look like 1000s of snowy owls. lol.
As for the holy grail you mentioned. I checked that one off the list on my very first bird outing with a DSLR. Not an osprey, but perhaps better...
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v283/jbird35/DSC_0299n.jpg


Incredible shots of an incredible bird... Before I obsessed over fly fishing for steelhead out here in California, I was an obsessive birder while growing up in Kansas... There were years when Snowy Owls would show up during those very cold "Owl winters". They are amazing and one of my favorite birds along with Great Grey and Short-Eared Owls (I Love Owls!). Beautiful.

I made the opposite transition. I went from steelhead to birds.lol

A great grey is another bucket list species for me.

[Mike McKenzie]

In fact, many purists frown on getting close because its so easy. well, I have an argument for them. This guy wouldnt let me within 100 yrds before flying off to a new spot. I persued him more but just couldnt get close enough for a quality image :-(

Jbird,
Do Ya' mean they're kinda' like Belted Kingfishers?? ](*,)
There sure wasn't anything wrong with the aerial shots! The one of the owl checking you out was pretty neat!
Mike

[Phil Synhorst]

Jay, you lucky son of a ......, a Snowy Owl, that is by far the coolest you've come across.=D>

The way this is going, you may want to consider giving up that work thing, and make a real go at photography.

Congrats on the awesome find.


p.s. The Ermine a week or so ago was pretty frickin sweet too. I forgot to chime in on that one at the time.

[Adam Grace]

Nice shots Jay, thanks :)