Great Horned Owl in a blizzard – Nikon D300, f6.3, 1/160, ISO 1600, +1.0, Nikkor 200-400mm VR with 1.4x TC at 400mm, natural light, not baited
Almost three years ago I photographed this adult Great Horned Owl in a blizzard near the entrance to Antelope Island State Park. It was November 10, 2012 and even though the light was crappy I wanted to try and get Bison images in falling snow and I accomplished that so the owl was just icing on the cake or more appropriately, snow on the valley floor.
I am not sure why this owls eyes look orange rather than the lemony yellow I have seen in other Great Horned Owls in North America. The eye color seen in this photo reminds me of the European Eagle Owl’s eye color but their plumage is different.
There are clouds here again this morning and probably some falling snow up in the mountains but I haven’t seen any snow near where I live. It might be yet another day at home instead of a morning out in the field. My bird photography addiction is making my fingers twitch.
I want snow. I want birds in my viewfinder. I want to be out shooting!
Life is good.
Mia
Click here to see more of my Great Horned Owl photos plus facts and information about this species.
Love this image of resolution. On my iPad the eyes don’t look dark enough to compare with the Eagle Owls they have in the Hogle zoo birdshows but agree they are darker than usual.
Wow. What a bird.
Amazing, beautiful photo.
It also makes me anxious for the first snowfall.
fabulous image!!!!!!!
Très belle image…j’aime beaucoup la lumière hivernale avec la neige en cadeau ! Great shot !
That is NOT a happy looking fellow! Looks like he hasn’t had breakfast yet…certainly not his morning cup of coffee. It is a wonderful shot, though…Funny,I was goung to ask you why some GHO’s have yellow eyes and some have amber, almost orange….can’t remember my owl’s eyes, but I don’t remember as orange.
IMPRESSIVE IMAGE MIA… THROUGH THE YEARS YOU HAVE CAPTURED
MANY VERY FINE IMAGES. I HOPE YOU HAVE MANY MORE YEARS OF
CAPTURING THE WONDER, AND BEAUTY OF NATURE..
I MUST COMPLEMENT YOU TOO ON THE QUALITY YOU GOT OUT OF
YOUR D300, SHOT AT ISO 1600… WELL DONE.
BY THE WAY, WHEN I TYPE IN CAPS I’M “NOT SHOUTING” AT YOU… IT’S
JUST THE WAY I DO THINGS… BEING A LITTLE WEIRD SEEMS TO GO
ALONG WITH BEING 81… HA.
You’re just a child…i’ve got two years on you…..
Simply beautiful!
The owl looks disgruntled & wondering if you had brought the snow. Great shot!
Beautiful Image Mia. The owl is certainly majestic.