Sleepy Great Horned Owl male – Nikon D300, f7.1, 1/400, ISO 800, +0.3 EV, Nikkor 200-400mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light, not baited
I often go back through my images to see what birds I was photographing and where I was photographing them one to many years ago and four years ago today I was in Glacier County, Montana photographing owls, hawks, shrikes and sparrows.
I photographed this sleepy Great Horned Owl male sitting in a opening of the granary, he was probably exhausted from helping his mate raise their young. It must take an enormous amount of energy to raise Great Horned Owl chicks from the time they hatch until after they fledge and I know I’d be sleepy too if I had to keep up with them. During the time I photographed this male he never fully opened his eyes, perhaps he’d had a long night trying to catch prey for his brood.
Most of the time I’d prefer to not have the “hand of man” in my images but I find the old wood from barns, granaries, sheds and outbuildings very appealing when I am photographing owls.
Life is good.
Mia
Click here to see more of my Great Horned Owl photos plus facts and information about this species.
I love the owl with the wood barn! It is one of my absolute favorites of yours, While seeing a bird in a completely natural setting with no “hand of man” is wonderful I must say that I like to see the bird wherever it is. Whether that is your beautiful old wood barn or a powerline or even a parking lot I just like the reality of it.
The weathered wood harmonizes so well with that plumage. A lovely shot. Thank you.
Owls and the weathered wood of old buildings, especially barns, go together besutifullyband naturally to me, particularly Screech owls, Barn owls and Great horned owls. I love the tranquil combination of feathers and weathered wood…the colors are pure harmony….
wonderful captures
Oh, I just LOVE LOVE LOVE this photo?
Beautiful images, Mia Owls are so special.