001 (5) (WS) First Sight

The same Great Horned Owl as yesterday's upload, taken shortly after I found her. She was amazingly close, and I had walked right by her without noticing her presence.

 

Once I was over the shock of seeing this beauty, I ignored her, and in a relative slow, quiet and methodical fashion, started setting up my tripod. I chimped by pointing the camera in some similar shady spots in another direction before placing the camera on the tripod directing it at her.

 

She was looking a bit tense, so even though a shot of her looking directly at me would be engaging, I didn't think it was worth the risk if it caused her to fly away. Instead, I wanted to build a tentative trust and reassurance, that I would not overly disturb her and I wasn't a threat. When she relaxed and looked away, I then took some shots.

 

I'm so glad I waited, for she did take exception to the noise of the shutter. This started the wait game for me. Take a few shots, she would get tense, I'd wait till she relaxed, and when she presented a better pose, I'd snap a few more.

 

I have found, with owls in the past, that this give and take can work quite well. Each time the owl becomes more relaxed more quickly, and regards one as a noteworthy and stressing subject less and less.

 

It wasn't perfect with her, for she really disliked the shutter. I am so glad she was patient with me when the sun broke through and I relocated to a greater distance away that provided the dark backdrop of yesterdays upload.

 

There she stayed till the dog walkers woke up and started coming through the forest. It was only then, that she decided it was time to leave. I didn't follow...

 

Please don't use this image on websites, blogs, etc. without my permission.

 

 

Done