The time is winding down for these lovely little birds to be in our area...soon they will move on to a colder climate to continue their hunting...I could not miss one more opportunity to post and I've saved this one for last...wink,wink...
He is the cutest and he was the bravest...coming down off his perch to sit on the ground in front of me...I think in their time here they got very used to all of us gawkers looking at them and sometimes they were very accommodating.. He sat here quite awhile, not moving his claws at all, just turning his very flexible neck constantly...It was raining, I was under a tree and we looked at each other, me, every few seconds clicking the shutter...the owl, every few seconds swiveling around..looking for his lunch..
I've been fortunate over the years to capture a lot of wildlife...nature is where I'm most comfortable with my gear. In all these many years, I've been treated to some very lovely gifts from my forest friends..but I must say, these owls have captured my heart like no other bird. They are beautiful and cute. They are patient and fast. They wait and they watch. They teach me to do the same. You can not rush them. They are in charge. So we wait..in the cold, rain, and if we are lucky, in the sunshine. I have yet to get one in flight but that will be my goal for next year. Just by being with them and seeing them was accomplishment enough for this year...I am on the bonus plan with these little guys...because beyond finding them..I was able to get some very nice shots..so, I for one, will leave them in peace for this year.
I am thankful always for the privilege of living in an area that affords me so much land to poke around in, and in this tiny space surrounding me, I have been blessed to see such natural beauty and amazing critters. So although I will not be shooting the owls anymore this year..I will be back in the marsh, along the seacoast next year...in the meantime, I'll be practicing my bird panning...Thank you my Owl friends, your eyes are amazing..they are your light and now they are mine..