Great Gray Owl with owlet on Ponderosa Snag
I had a great streak of luck and birding karma this late spring. While driving 30-35 mph down a forest road one late morning, a big owl flew right over my Jeep. With excitement, I shouted, "Great Gray, Great Gray! We immediately pulled over, and luckily, I re-located the majesty owl. I confidently told my clients, there must be a nest around. A minute later, the male flew across the meadow to hunt as we admired him in perfect light, perched on a beautiful snag. Not too long, one of my client's bionic ears detected an odd noise or whimper. I questioned her and imitated the possible sound. She acknowledged the mystery sound! With my hooter instincts, we walked in the direction of where she thought she heard the bird! A few hundreds yards later, BAM; I found a female great gray siting on a ponderosa snag.
What amazing karma and team work. Natural great gray nests are always rare to find and we were delighted to find it in a new area. What a magical moment.
#lowISO, #noFLASH, #elusiveOWLS
Great Gray Owl with owlet on Ponderosa Snag
I had a great streak of luck and birding karma this late spring. While driving 30-35 mph down a forest road one late morning, a big owl flew right over my Jeep. With excitement, I shouted, "Great Gray, Great Gray! We immediately pulled over, and luckily, I re-located the majesty owl. I confidently told my clients, there must be a nest around. A minute later, the male flew across the meadow to hunt as we admired him in perfect light, perched on a beautiful snag. Not too long, one of my client's bionic ears detected an odd noise or whimper. I questioned her and imitated the possible sound. She acknowledged the mystery sound! With my hooter instincts, we walked in the direction of where she thought she heard the bird! A few hundreds yards later, BAM; I found a female great gray siting on a ponderosa snag.
What amazing karma and team work. Natural great gray nests are always rare to find and we were delighted to find it in a new area. What a magical moment.
#lowISO, #noFLASH, #elusiveOWLS