Unacceptable Rypstra
046 (6) (WS) Morning Hunt
Great Horned Owl in a local nature park.
While on my way to work one morning last month, I came across a doe and her speckled triplets in an ideal spot for photography. Problem? I neither had my camera nor the time to enjoy this deer family until several days later.
Knowing it was a long shot, I returned early in the morning and quietly walked around the area. Nothing. I expanded my search. Nothing. I eventually decided to try and rescue my morning's attempt at spending time in nature, by walking to a tiny nearby park I knew of.
The park was soo silent. I navigated the short meandering trial, pausing frequently, without noting any sound or sight worth investigating with a long lens.
Deciding to call the morning a bust, I was just starting to head back out when I turned my head and looked directly behind me. My jaw practically dropped open, for who was silently watching me all the while, was this beauty.
When I first spotted her, she was rather camouflaged in soft muted light. (I may upload one of the first shot's tomorrow).
She was perched on a snag overhanging a forest enshrouded pond. Once the sun broke through, it was just a matter of shifting to a spot where the tree behind her wasn't overblown in the sudden light, and waiting for her to look into the light.
While quietly spending time with her, I ended up seeing quite a lot of deer. Whoever said deer were silent?! There was a trail only they knew about down a steep embankment which they crashed through to the depression where we were; startling the owl and I each time they came.
First, it was a doe without a fawn, then a couple of does with fawns, and finally, a buck coming into his 3rd season. He silently stared at me for quite awhile from the other side of the pond edge brambles. Then, yes, he did turn and silently disappeared into the thickets behind him.
Of course, now that I was seeing the subject of my choice for the morning, I couldn't get a decent shot due to the poor light and excessive undergrowth, but by now I didn't care. I was in a magic moment, and enjoying it thoroughly...
Please don't use this image on websites, blogs, etc. without my permission.
046 (6) (WS) Morning Hunt
Great Horned Owl in a local nature park.
While on my way to work one morning last month, I came across a doe and her speckled triplets in an ideal spot for photography. Problem? I neither had my camera nor the time to enjoy this deer family until several days later.
Knowing it was a long shot, I returned early in the morning and quietly walked around the area. Nothing. I expanded my search. Nothing. I eventually decided to try and rescue my morning's attempt at spending time in nature, by walking to a tiny nearby park I knew of.
The park was soo silent. I navigated the short meandering trial, pausing frequently, without noting any sound or sight worth investigating with a long lens.
Deciding to call the morning a bust, I was just starting to head back out when I turned my head and looked directly behind me. My jaw practically dropped open, for who was silently watching me all the while, was this beauty.
When I first spotted her, she was rather camouflaged in soft muted light. (I may upload one of the first shot's tomorrow).
She was perched on a snag overhanging a forest enshrouded pond. Once the sun broke through, it was just a matter of shifting to a spot where the tree behind her wasn't overblown in the sudden light, and waiting for her to look into the light.
While quietly spending time with her, I ended up seeing quite a lot of deer. Whoever said deer were silent?! There was a trail only they knew about down a steep embankment which they crashed through to the depression where we were; startling the owl and I each time they came.
First, it was a doe without a fawn, then a couple of does with fawns, and finally, a buck coming into his 3rd season. He silently stared at me for quite awhile from the other side of the pond edge brambles. Then, yes, he did turn and silently disappeared into the thickets behind him.
Of course, now that I was seeing the subject of my choice for the morning, I couldn't get a decent shot due to the poor light and excessive undergrowth, but by now I didn't care. I was in a magic moment, and enjoying it thoroughly...
Please don't use this image on websites, blogs, etc. without my permission.