WOW! I am so excited...and so stressed from the validation request! This owl image is a new pb for me and it's the first time I've finished with an HM.
As for the picture there has been 4 great grey owls in the Ottawa area since December. I hiked out to see them on three different occasions. The 1st time it was -29C and I couldn't find them anywhere, the 2nd time I saw one flying back to the forest after it was baited. I'd never heard about baiting before this. The owl never reappeared and at a milder -20C I didn't stay out to long! On my 3rd trip, when I took this picture, I saw 2 of the owls. There were 15-20 birders and photographers there and someone put out a mouse on the branch. It didn't take long for her to fly out after the mouse and the moment was amazing.
I realize that baiting is a widely debated topic and I don't know where I stand on the issue. But I do know I wasn't going to miss taking the pictures of theses guys. It is a rare occurrence for them to be in our area. They only arrive here if the food supply is low for them in the north. This may happen every 5 to 10 years.
Now to the OMG! Thank you for all of the comments and votes on my image during voting. This was a long week but a great one for me! I can't believe this finish!
THANK YOU!
Statistics
Place: 5 out of 205 Avg (all users): 6.7379 Avg (commenters): 8.2667 Avg (participants): 6.7432 Avg (non-participants): 6.7241 Views since voting: 1748 Views during voting: 220 Votes: 103 Comments: 23 Favorites: 3 (view)
A great capture, one of my 10's, and I am so happy for you for the BP and fine finish. Frankly, you deserve first for getting out in those temperatures not just once but three times for the chance at this shot LOL. Congratulations.
I honestly missed the "baited" part and whilst I agree it's contentious, like baiting Bald Eagles with dead fish in dams the photography here is superb.
I would hazard a guess this is a Ryan Magnumphotography shot but could easily be Enlightened. The intensity of this Owl species eyes is always a drawcard and it was indeed the first thing I noticed, despite the action of the wings and the landing, and then, bam, the mouse opened up a new dimension to the shot. Superb. What on earth a mouse is doing in a dead branch is beyond me, but I understand the skill needed to capture this and get it in focus and keep the bird un-cropped. VWD and will no doubt be Top 10 and possibly Top 3. This is my only 10 of the challenge despite stiff competition but I am biased toward BiF.
One of my 10's - fantastic focus - the gaze is riveting - love the slight motion blur on the wings. And the woods in winter background is wonderful. Voted earlier.
Great Gray Owl, Strix nebulosa. One of the most elusive birds, but they do hunt during the day because of their Northern woods habitat. Alas, this owl doesn't come as far south as Colorado, so I probably won't get to see one. Good environmental shot. I like the detail and sharpness, as well as the asymmetrical composition. Good action capture. (Thanks for revealing the circumstances of the image capture.) 9
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