The first in a series of a dozen photos taken when the Snowy Owl abruptly took a closer look at the photographer and began a series of movements to the left, right, left, right; dipping a little lower, then raising higher than usual; then left, right again.
|
I had a feeling that morning, but it wasn’t the first time in recent weeks; nonetheless, I followed my impression to extend my morning drive to include a loop north of my office. After an initial check on the remaining thousand Snow Geese and 16 Bald Eagles at the deepest lake about 6 miles north, about 2/3 of the way through the loop I spied a raptor or big owl perched a half mile to the west. Was it a Rough-legged Hawk or a Snowy Owl? My binoculars revealed the subject of any premonition – the first Snowy Owl of the season! It was a very darkly marked first-year Snowy – a beauty – perched on a tall wooden pole looking south into the late morning sunlight. The pole was located on a low hill next to a rarely used road that would afford me a view in each direction to see any wayward pickup that might appear by surprise.
Every bird is different, as is every Snowy Owl; but I hoped this new Arctic arrival would trust me to approach within photo range. Perhaps I would be the first human it would see – or the first human hidden inside a big white van. I approached the young owl slowly and carefully, stopped once to let it get familiar with seeing my van stop and go; then repeated the process and held my breath as I closed the space between us. As I slipped into position between the sun and the owl, I watched for where the shadows were and stopped at the best location to eliminate them. The magnificent Snowy Owl remained on its perch, although it was keenly aware I had just stopped the big white mobile blind. The blind wasn’t invisible, but I wasn’t very obvious inside it, hidden behind the driver’s side door as I held my camera in front of my face with the zoom lens barely sticking out window.
A photo taken at the opposite side of a left-right stretch, a rather typical action when owls are trying to get a better angle of view on a particular subject. The resulting photos are quite endearing.
|
In one quick move I braced the lens against the window frame, focused on the impressive owl, and held my breath as I took the first couple photos of the owl, hoping it would hold tight – just as it had up to that point. “What a bird” I thought as I waited for it to turn its head this way and that, hoping it might turn sideways eventually. The bird didn’t pay much attention to me or the white van, scanning the area with a hunter’s gaze, almost circling its head this way and that for an extended period. My biggest thrill came when the bird suddenly did take a serious accounting of me, or at least the mobile blind.
Bobbing & Weaving
Not only did the exquisite owl seemingly focus its attention at the objective lens of my zoom, but it made a series of movements to the left, right, left, right; dipping a little lower, then raising higher than usual; then left, right again. The behavior is pretty typical of owls when they are trying to focus in on a point of interest, and I was delighted to have the chance to take a dozen photographs to document the different views of the distinctive bird – what fun! With the perfect light and the perfect bird showing distinctive movements, it provided thrilling moments that I was able to document to share with you, friends, and family.
After another segment of scanning the surrounding area, the owl suddenly took flight, an action that yielded no suitable images. It only flew to another pole, so thrilled by every wingbeat, I regrouped a moment while allowing the owl a few moments to settle in. All the photos I took up to that point were from the front of the bird, which didn’t show much of the plumage on the Snowy’s wings, tail, and back. Would it permit me to approach it again for a few photos from the side? Keeping the shadow line in mind as I methodically approached the young owl, I stopped a little farther away this time with a nice view of the owl, which was leaning forward a bit with its tail almost horizontal with its wings – perfect for the next image I had in mind. We were both more relaxed during this second interaction, and it was nice to show another ‘side’ of this owl.
By approaching the owl from the opposite side, it was possible to show more plumage on the back, wings, and tail as the light began to fade slightly under a thin veil of clouds.
|
When you have a chance to spend a little time with a bird like this Snowy Owl, you tend to see some things you might miss if you took a couple photos and left. From my position at one side I could see some bright red blood on the top of one of its Snowy white feet, suggesting it had a recent interaction with prey and a meal. I wouldn’t expect a vole, mouse, or pocket gopher would create that amount of blood, and Snowy Owls usually simply swallow those small rodents whole. So if the blood was from a prey animal, I’d bet on a cottontail bunny. At the same time, there were no signs of blood on the face of the owl, nor did the owl appear to have a distended crop, leaving a bit of a bloody mystery that would require more clues to uncover the answer to the cause of the fresh blood stains. It’s all part of the interesting insights you can glean from photo experiences with trusting birds.
After a few more photos, I bid the young owl “thanks and good luck amigo,” and continued on my route back home. I was thrilled, excited, and juiced up on adrenaline after spending a half-hour with this trusting Snowy Owl, the first of this winter for me. Snowy Owls are amazing – every one of ‘em!
Who would feature a photo of the back of the head of such a magnificent bird with such dramatic eyes and face? It’s important to get a full view of a very special winter visitor, just in case you don’t get a close look during the winter months. Happy Holidays!
|
The birds always come first, so it’s best to try your best not to displace an owl or raptor or another bird for the sake of getting photos. But when we can find a trusting bird that doesn’t mind our measured approach and provides an “ambassador of its species” experience, it can be an overwhelming and fruitful experience. In this case, let’s call it an early Christmas present.
Search for your Christmas or New Year’s photo presents during the forthcoming days of December, and I’ll look forward to sharing my next photo adventure with you January 5th! Happy New Year 2022!
Article and photographs by Paul Konrad
Share your bird photos and birding experiences at editorstbw2@gmail.com