Took a few photos today

[AgingEyes]

Very foggy day today, no sunshine whatsoever.

I just don't know how some folk can find a Northern Saw Whet Owl out of nowhere. This one is very well covered all around by all the leaves and branches. If nobody tells me, I swear I will never know it is there even if I am standing just a foot from it. I doubt any of you can, too...( OK may be except paulnj ) And I was within a couple of feet from it when I took this photo shooting with a Tamron 17-50. It was a tight space and so no room for the use of big lenses. I know, I know, I was too close and probably stressing the owl big time. Sorry ! Also, I was told by the other guy that a couple of days ago, a woman actually captured the owl and took it out of the covered area.



It was simply too dark to shoot with any decent shutter speed and DOF (except with a D3 I suppose). But I did see some saw whet owl photos that are so clear and sharp and the owls seem to be out in the open. Could they be captive owls? I'm puzzled.


Here's a golden ealge. Again, foggy, bad light, and a OOF branch in the foreground.




And the juvy goshawk is still in that park hunting ducks:



How do you know you're not looking at a juvy cooper hawk or sharp-shin hawk?

[A.M.D.A.]

Nice shots as usual, AgingEyes !

My favourite is the last one (goshawk), great pose, composition, and sharpness. Too bad about the washed-out sky in #2, but I know that couldn't be helped. #1 came out pretty good.

How to tell apart juvy goshawks/cooper's/sharp-shinned will have to be left for Paul... however I do know that the goshawk is considerably larger, sharp-shinned being smallest. Also, note voice and alarm calls.

P.S. Stressing owls or owlets simply for the sake of pictures I would consider a big ... helping out a bird with good intentions is different... sorry...

[paulnj]

Yes indeed, that last image is a juvi goshawk! gosharks have a defined white supercillium, speckled backs, brouder streaks in the chest, uneven tail bands and .. look alot like a juvenile eastern redshouldered hawk in flight and perched.

Taking a few quick images of a sawwhet isn't a big deal, but the trail you leave for the rest to follow is a bad thing. I don't try to find saw whets in the snow because people like the lady mentioned(who would have been very unhappy had I seen that) can follow the foot prints.

[AgingEyes]

Originally Posted by A.M.D.A.

P.S. Stressing owls or owlets simply for the sake of pictures I would consider a big ... helping out a bird with good intentions is different... sorry...

Originally Posted by paulnj

Taking a few quick images of a sawwhet isn't a big deal, but the trail you leave for the rest to follow is a bad thing.

I totally didn't expect I would be that close (within arm's length) to the owl. Too close for comfort From that distance seeing it with my naked eyes for the first time, the owl look delicate. But, It still eats mouse, right?

Here's another one from the outside looking in where the owl was (taken with at 38mm f2.8 ISO 3200):

[Rivman]

Very nice shots AE, despite existing conditions.
The last photo looking in on the Sawhet on the branch is awesome.
So close, and delicate for sure, but predatory.
Thanks for sharing !

[scott-devon]

Nice shots, I like that last one. It gives a sense of how they hide away.

[paulnj]

They do indeed eat small rodents, but cooper's hawks eat saw whet owls.

they stay where they are, because that's the only defense they have. Moving them and pressuring them can lead to their death.

You did nothing wrong in my eyes if you took a few images and left happy.

[Knight]

Congrats on the FP ,Well Captured, i have yet to see one of these

[Coastal Flyer]

Aging,

Your Feature Photo is indeed a wonderful capture; congratulations, well done. My favorite is the very first image, starting from the bottom. I think the white background only enhances the power of the bird, works well with the natural colors of the bird and the bush it is landing on. Really nice all the way around. Congratulations, again.

David

[OldClicker]

Congrats on the Featured Photo. The little guy looks good sitting up there watching over N&W. - TF

[AgingEyes]

Thanks folks for the comments !