Snowy Owl #2

[Mike Bons]

I had been photographing ducks most of the afternoon and finally decided to pack it in when the light was too dark to keep the shutter speed high enough for in flight/landing shots. So as we were leaving we saw this white "bump" out on the ice. Sure enough it was a female snowy owl sitting there. So I got the tripod out and slowly went out onto the ice. We managed to get reasonably close before it picked up and flew a short distance to the post seen in the pictures. We didn't push our luck any more and left quietly after that. It was a fantastic encounter.

Again a short video of it sitting on the post.
http://www.mikebons.com/p1069954471/e37ec1ad1

Here is a couple sitting on the ice.

http://www.mikebons.com/img/s5/v120/p15903071-5.jpg

http://www.mikebons.com/img/s1/v55/p420296996-5.jpg

And a few from the post. Just some minor differences in poses, cropping and composition.

http://www.mikebons.com/img/s9/v88/p214083054-5.jpg

http://www.mikebons.com/img/s8/v79/p357910915-5.jpg

http://www.mikebons.com/img/s5/v125/p96114422-5.jpg

[JAS_Photo]

OMGosh! He is adorable! I favour the last shot for aesthetics but shot 2 is hands down the winner in cuteness factor.

[Marko]

Wow for a city boy like me that's some cool exorcist-like neck turning ability I see in the video. Thx for posting it!
I dig the whole set but favour shot 4 here.

[asnow]

Nice job in making him stand out against the white snow.
That first one is hilarious, balancing of one leg. I think my favourite is the four one with the head turned and those yellow eyes staring at you.

[Hillbillygirl]

I like that 1st shot with the "See these talons", along with the," You wann'a piece of this?" look.

[Mike Bons]

Thanks all!! That first shot to me looks like she is skating... I thought it was unique. :)