Great gray owls have always eluded me on my many trips across the country. Even in Yellowstone where they are quite frequently seen. So I decided to head to Sax Zim Bog in northern Minnesota — one of the most reliable places to see the “Ghost of the North Woods.” My first full day coincided with the first major snow storm of the season. Blizzard-like conditions lasted throughout the day. I had hoped for snow, but this was so thick and blustery that visibility was an issue, making flight shots extremely difficult, especially in the low light of dawn and dusk when the owls are active. That said, I managed to see a few owls, and am happy with many of the perched shots I captured. Getting very close to this particular owl allowed me cut through the storm to reveal some of the detail in the face and feathers. Nikon D500 with Nikkor 500mm PF lens, ISO 3200, f/5.6 at 1/250th of a second.
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Great gray owls have always eluded me on my many trips across the country. Even in Yellowstone where they are quite frequently seen. So I decided to head to Sax Zim Bog in northern Minnesota — one of the most reliable places to see the “Ghost of the North Woods.” My first full day coincided with the first major snow storm of the season. Blizzard-like conditions lasted throughout the day. I had hoped for snow, but this was so thick and blustery that visibility was an issue, making flight shots extremely difficult, especially in the low light of dawn and dusk when the owls are active. That said, I managed to see a few owls, and am happy with many of the perched shots I captured. Getting very close to this particular owl allowed me cut through the storm to reveal some of the detail in the face and feathers. Nikon D500 with Nikkor 500mm PF lens, ISO 3200, f/5.6 at 1/250th of a second.
A keeper for sure, thanks for sharing this gem.
Thanks Donna.
Love this shot, Sean! I think the snow enhances it and gives it a certain “mood” that a clear view would not have.
Thanks Mom. Agreed. I was excited when I heard a snowstorm was on the way.
Terrific shot — really gives you a sense of time and place. Congrats on finding owls — I have not been so lucky, but I keep looking. 🙂
Thanks Karen. I traveled to one of the country’s hotspots for great grays.
This is an exquisite photo.
Thanks Marilyn. Tough to go wrong with owls and snow.
Oh, my! Sean, this is a stellar image! What more can I say?
Thanks Sue. I was very excited when I saw the weather report and was hoping for some shots like this.
Amazing capture!
Thanks Rachel.
What an expression. That’s the same look my wife gives me when I return home without a dead mouse to share with our offspring.
I’ve seen that dead-mouse-less-Louis-face before.