Whooo are you?

[Bobobird]

Biologists and birders say no to flash especially on owls that depend on their eyes. Photographers on the other hand tend to say it has no effect. i have witnessed very strong exchanges between the 2 groups and the latter usually lose for lack of facts. There is one tiny species of owl (do not remember the name now) that has such sensitive eyes that it would go blind or partially even with naturally occurring lightning.

With the much better high iso capabilities of modern cameras, flash on birds should not really be needed. Even if it is, a more natural picture can be obtained if used only for fill rather than lighting up the scene and never hitting the bird directly with it.

Thought this might be worth knowing about.

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Here is a cut and paste of some things to know about for owls. One conservation area actually bans anyone caught using flash within the boundaries.

Things to remember when photographing these wonderful birds.

(1) Do not use a flash.
This practice has been widely dicussed between birders and photographers often leading to confrontations in the field. There are many studies that you can read on the internet, none that seem conclusive. My advice is always put the owls well being first and do not use a flash. The easiest way is to simply manually adjust your exposure to enchance lighting conditions as needed. This way the owls are not distrupted during their rest period, mind you some do hunt during the day but this should have no bearing on using a flash. Leave it at home.

(2) Do not bait owls.
This has become more of an issue over the past few years with photographers obtaining store bought mice to feed wild owls. This has resulted in owls being killed running into cars. It is not natures way and can cause extreme fatigue when baiters draw in the owls over and over again just to get the "Perfect" flight shot. It is simply reckless and completely unnecessary.

(3) Do not shake trees; break branches, or use owls calls played by a media device to get there attention for a better photograph.

(4) Do not spend an extended period of time sitting in front of an owl with a tripod taking several hundred pictures. Take time to correctly adjust your camera; frame the shot and take a few but don't go crazy. If your quiet as you should be the owl's position won't change much so taking a slew of images is a waste of time and prolongs contact with the bird.

(5) Keep your distance.

That's about it, all common sense. Take care with these beautiful creatures and enjoy nature as it was intended.

For any birders/photographers these rules are strictly enforced at (name of conservation area).

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[Saorsa]

I always see a lot of rules like this. They are usually made up by well meaning folks without much evidence.

Great Horned Owls eyes are sensitive indeed. But, they are sensitive over a very broad range of lighting conditions. They are often active and watchful during the day in bright sunlight. Burrowing Owls are also very active in the day.

I don't bait or call anything. I see that more often from birders. I grew up hunting and am much happier learning to stalk an animal. One exception, after I have found one, is to imitate a crow alert call to get their attention. Everybody knows that the crow is on guard.

As to setting up for a long period, I don't usually do that. I know when the animals are likely to be active and time my own activities accordingly. That isn't always the case with others.



This is what you will find at one of our local eagles nests. The eagles have built nests twice within a dozen yards of a main highway. They are not intimidated by the sight of man. They live quite happily in the midst of development. This is an Osprey nest at the end of a street on a power pole in the midst of 6 houses.



This Great Blue Heron nest is on a disused power pole converted for Osprey nesting. It is over a parking lot in a busy public park.



This handsome fella is perched on a piling at a boat launch in the same park.



Animals and humans can get along just fine and share areas. I often think all those rules are made for people who think they know better to have control over others.

[IzzieK]

What is the owl eating?

[Saorsa]

What is the owl eating?

Squirrel. The Owl on the left is an adult that brought the fresh squirrel carcass up to teach the youngster to attack and tear at it's own food. It actually teased the youngster with it until it pounced.

[Saorsa]

Speaking of Squirrels, this is an example of extreme sports for squirrels. This was taken when the Eagles built the nest and were raising young. The eagle isn't in a good position but, notice the limb bottom right.