I was driving home from a morning trip into town, thinking that I would have nothing to post for this week, as it had been a slow week for both bird and animal sightings, and I already posted the lone landscape photo I liked for my monochrome Monday shot… and about the lack of a Wordless Wednesday post… I kinda forgot what day it was – oops.
Just as I was about to turn onto my street, I noticed something perched on a fence post at the end of the road; I couldn’t quite believe my eyes as it was an owl (at noon no less). I stopped in the middle of the road to watch for a moment, and then hurried home to grab my camera and the dog. I drove back up hoping I might be lucky enough for it to still be there, and it was. I managed to get the car into a great position without causing and ruffled feathers, and sat for about 10 minutes snapping photos before I decided to head off, as the dog needed a walk. It was rainy and miserable though and other than doing what was necessary, Spencer wasn’t too keen to stay out long, so I decided to take another drive and see if the owl was still there. This time I stayed longer, and managed to see a couple failed hunting attempts before I headed back home.
I’m really happy with how well the photos turned out despite the weather, but even more, I’m very grateful to have had such a cool, and unexpected, afternoon with wildlife.
I hope you enjoy the photos!
![My first sighting of a great grey owl.](https://jsawicky.files.wordpress.com/2015/11/20151101_what-ive-seen-this-week-7.jpg?resize=525%2C348)
![Such an intense gaze.](https://jsawicky.files.wordpress.com/2015/11/20151101_what-ive-seen-this-week-3.jpg?resize=525%2C792)
![The way owls heads rotate amazes me.](https://jsawicky.files.wordpress.com/2015/11/20151101_what-ive-seen-this-week-2.jpg?resize=525%2C792)
![She showed off all angles while I happily snapped away.](https://jsawicky.files.wordpress.com/2015/11/20151101_what-ive-seen-this-week.jpg?resize=525%2C792)
![Watching the ground for mice and other critters. Based on the leftovers I have been seeing on the road the last few days, she is fairly successful.](https://jsawicky.files.wordpress.com/2015/11/20151101_what-ive-seen-this-week-6.jpg?resize=525%2C792)
![I love the angle on this photo, and the streaking raindrops in the background. 1/400sec, f5.6, ISO 800](https://jsawicky.files.wordpress.com/2015/11/20151101_what-ive-seen-this-week-4.jpg?resize=525%2C792)
1/400sec, f5.6, ISO 800
![If you look closely, you will see that there are remnants of another bird stuck in the fencing.](https://jsawicky.files.wordpress.com/2015/11/20151101_what-ive-seen-this-week-8.jpg?resize=525%2C792)
![After watching the grass along the roadside intently, she launched off, but sadly did not make a catch. 1/500sec, f5.6, ISO1000](https://jsawicky.files.wordpress.com/2015/11/20151101_what-ive-seen-this-week-9.jpg?resize=525%2C792)
1/500sec, f5.6, ISO1000
![I included this only to show the beautiful variation in the feathers. Unfortunately the photo is blurry, a combination of too slow a shutter speed (due to the light) and user focusing issues!](https://jsawicky.files.wordpress.com/2015/11/20151101_what-ive-seen-this-week-10.jpg?resize=525%2C348)
![Coming back in to land after an unsuccessful hunt.](https://jsawicky.files.wordpress.com/2015/11/20151101_what-ive-seen-this-week-11.jpg?resize=525%2C792)
![A bit of post flight grooming and fluffing of feathers.](https://jsawicky.files.wordpress.com/2015/11/20151101_what-ive-seen-this-week-12.jpg?resize=525%2C348)
![With this, she was off again and we left her in peace. 1/500sec, f5.6, ISO1000](https://jsawicky.files.wordpress.com/2015/11/20151101_what-ive-seen-this-week-13.jpg?resize=525%2C348)
1/500sec, f5.6, ISO1000
Should you wish to have a copy of any of these to call your own, click here.
https://jennifersawicky.smugmug.com/buy/46618501_HZ72M2/4483806964_B8dTQPn/
WOW! What a magical gift from the bird gods!!! Spectacular moments captured and witnessed! Gorgeous!! Congrats!!
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Thank you Christy! I knew you would enjoy these photos 🙂 I am still on cloud nine!!!