Fun with the Great Horned Owl!

Owls have always been a big draw for me, likely because they are mostly nocturnal and getting in position to be able to photograph them is often difficult to do. With the help of newer, digital cameras that allow you to shoot at a much higher ISO, and without creating too much noise, it is becoming easier to do.

Today's post features a Great Horned Owl (Bubo virginianus) early one morning on a nearby state conservation area lake.

The Great Horned Owl is one of Missouri's most common owls.  As I paddled towards the back of the lake, and just around sunrise, I had a wonderful experience with this Great Horned Owl. As I approached, he was sitting in a treetop that extended over the lake, preening:

When I stopped paddling, he decided to move to a downed tree limb, on the lake surface. Fortunately for me, the wind was gentle and at my back, allowing me to just sit and float towards him, requiring no paddling or threatening movements on my part. After landing, he began stretching his wings:

taking a long drink of water:

then, just fluffing his feathers and seemingly having a good time on the lake:

I was able to photograph this guy for about 10 minutes. Then he decided it bedtime, so off he flew into the woods.

This post was prepared by Jim Braswell of Show-Me Nature Photography.