For the Birds
Read MoreWhy edit the branches when they show how difficult your shot was? It's like writing a song and removing all the pain. Of course that may not apply to all circumstances, but it works here. The wind was excessive that morning, so I shot handheld and swayed with the trees to keep the Owls in focus. This particular nest stays in shadow a majority of the time. Thanks to the wind and the flexibility of a White Pine for bringing these Great Horned Owlets into the light.
I love to see her dance. This is what it looks like seconds before a Harrier Hawk strikes its prey. The inertia from forward flight comes to a complete halt as she flips her body over and downward towards her target. Her strategy for a successful hunt is instinct, speed and agility synchronized with absolute silence. Female Northern Harrier Hawk Behind the Scenes: It's possible to get a shot like this using your car as a blind. This Hawk flew in about 12' away from my Jeep. If you wait quietly and are patient.. the wild comes to you. It's not necessary to bait or audible calls.. so much more rewarding to find what you're looking for without all that added trickery. Using these tactics only interferes with the animals natural abilities and causes distress. You don't necessarily have to remain unseen to get the shot.. but by doing so, you allow birds/wildlife to hunt or rest for survival without any distractions from us.. It should always be about them first. When the Sun goes down, life gets tough for birds and animals.. especially in the Winter months. A Hawk or Owl might not mind your presence at times, but the Voles they're hunting could be scattered all over the place from your human scent and vibrations. This is so important to keep in mind at the Wildlife Refuges especially. It's a privilege when the wild invites us into their world.. after all, that land is for the them and we are just lucky spectators. If you decide to explore the Refuges, please stay on the trails within the marked boundaries.. use common sense and respect to the land and the Wild that inhabits it.