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Letsgodiving · 8 April 2010, 11:00 AM

I ran across this nest last weekend. This is a large owl that will prey on other owls, hawks, raccoons, skunks and even dogs and cats. It is a beautiful bird and it was a great privilege to find one in the wild. Hope you enjoy.

Looks like momma is tired as well.

Latrodectus · 8 April 2010, 11:47 AM

Mike, fantastic pictures. Great owl. How close did you go?

Letsgodiving · 8 April 2010, 01:07 PM

Thanks Fred! I'm not good with distances but I was using a super telephoto lens with an extender for additional reach and these shots are crops of the original so it's not as close as it seems.

KJacques · 9 April 2010, 01:31 AM

Once again some fantastic bird pics! You capture such personality and an intimacy with the animal in your pictures. (Thinking also of that eagle stare pic). It's always such a pleasure to get to see your pictures.

diversified · 9 April 2010, 01:34 AM

Anymore, it seems the sighting of an owl in Central Pa is a rarity.

dina · 10 April 2010, 10:25 AM

Great pics! i love owls

Taffi Abernathy · 10 April 2010, 01:52 PM

Wow, I knew you shot some pictures but I had no idea how terrific they'd be! I hope you blew some of them up and framed them.

Brit78 · 11 April 2010, 02:39 AM

WOW! What fantastic photos Mike. You've got a real talent.

Letsgodiving · 11 April 2010, 11:52 AM

Thanks very much everyone. I really appreciate your comments. I happened to meet a very knowledgeable lady earlier this week who turned me onto another nest that looks to be promising so hopefully I'll have the opportunity to share some more shots of these owls.

larsr · 12 April 2010, 03:14 AM

About a month ago had one perched on the rail of my deck for about 4 hours. I sat watching it for nearly the whole time. Beautiful birds and watching it swivel its head to look out over the valley (they don't move thier eyes, but move their entire head instead) was really neat. The beak and talons were also quite impressive.

The bird was maybe three feet away (seperated by glass). It was particularly spooky when it turned its head in my direction.

Thanks for the pictures.

Letsgodiving · 14 April 2010, 05:29 AM

That must have been a really cool experience. Their talons are pretty intimidating looking. I read somewhere that they have close to 10 times the crushing power in their talons than an average adult has in their hands.

Redrubicon · 14 April 2010, 06:42 AM

Fantastic! Its surprising she stayed around for the picts but she was probably protecting her baby. Owls have unbelievable vision. Real clear photos...super cool!!

JJ Irani · 14 April 2010, 06:43 AM

Excellent pics............so life like!!

Latrodectus · 14 April 2010, 01:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Letsgodiving

Thanks very much everyone. I really appreciate your comments. I happened to meet a very knowledgeable lady earlier this week who turned me onto another nest that looks to be promising so hopefully I'll have the opportunity to share some more shots of these owls.

Yes, I hope we see some more of your great pictures!

Letsgodiving · 17 April 2010, 12:25 PM

I traveled out to the nest earlier this evening and the young owlets are starting to fill out a little. The nest is close to a colonial camp that is a recreation of a 1611 English settlement and they have a few turkeys running around and a couple have recently been taken by the parents. It's a big job to keep these little ones well fed.

Latrodectus · 17 April 2010, 01:10 PM

Wow...that is such a cool looking picture! Nature is just great. Super!

Letsgodiving · 17 April 2010, 01:40 PM

Thanks so much Fred. It really is a treat for me to be able to see these guys. They are getting tough to catch through all the leaves but it was very windy today so I was able to get a clear shot with the right timing. They are still pretty young so it looks like they will be in the nest for a few weeks so I hope to have some more opportunities.

8 April 2010, 11:00 AM	#1
Letsgodiving "TRF" Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Real Name: Mike Location: Virginia, US Watch: SD 16600 Posts: 4,320	Great Horned Owl and nest I ran across this nest last weekend. This is a large owl that will prey on other owls, hawks, raccoons, skunks and even dogs and cats. It is a beautiful bird and it was a great privilege to find one in the wild. Hope you enjoy. Looks like momma is tired as well. __________________ The fool, with all his other faults, has this also - he is always getting ready to live. - Epicurus (341–270 BC)

8 April 2010, 11:47 AM	#2
Latrodectus 2025 TitaniumYM Pledge Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Real Name: Fred Location: KY, USA Watch: GMT-Master II Posts: 10,053	Mike, fantastic pictures. Great owl. How close did you go? __________________ Member # 16057 4-Hands Club Tosser Club Member TRF Skypers Group

8 April 2010, 01:07 PM	#3
Letsgodiving "TRF" Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Real Name: Mike Location: Virginia, US Watch: SD 16600 Posts: 4,320	Thanks Fred! I'm not good with distances but I was using a super telephoto lens with an extender for additional reach and these shots are crops of the original so it's not as close as it seems. __________________ The fool, with all his other faults, has this also - he is always getting ready to live. - Epicurus (341–270 BC)

10 April 2010, 01:52 PM	#7
Taffi Abernathy "TRF" Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Real Name: Faith Location: Philadelphia, PA Watch: TT DJ, SS DJ Posts: 4,053	Wow, I knew you shot some pictures but I had no idea how terrific they'd be! I hope you blew some of them up and framed them. __________________ Sarcasm is my second language.

11 April 2010, 02:39 AM	#8
Brit78 "TRF" Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Real Name: Tim Location: USA Posts: 1,704	WOW! What fantastic photos Mike. You've got a real talent. __________________ 118239, 16710, 16610lv

9 April 2010, 01:31 AM	#4
KJacques "TRF" Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Real Name: Kevin Location: USA Watch: the skies Posts: 1,250	Once again some fantastic bird pics! You capture such personality and an intimacy with the animal in your pictures. (Thinking also of that eagle stare pic). It's always such a pleasure to get to see your pictures.

9 April 2010, 01:34 AM	#5
diversified "TRF" Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Real Name: Jim Location: State College PA Posts: 1,694	Anymore, it seems the sighting of an owl in Central Pa is a rarity.

10 April 2010, 10:25 AM	#6
dina "TRF" Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Real Name: Dina Location: utica Posts: 1,392	Great pics! i love owls

11 April 2010, 11:52 AM	#9
Letsgodiving "TRF" Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Real Name: Mike Location: Virginia, US Watch: SD 16600 Posts: 4,320	Thanks very much everyone. I really appreciate your comments. I happened to meet a very knowledgeable lady earlier this week who turned me onto another nest that looks to be promising so hopefully I'll have the opportunity to share some more shots of these owls. __________________ The fool, with all his other faults, has this also - he is always getting ready to live. - Epicurus (341–270 BC)

12 April 2010, 03:14 AM	#10
larsr "TRF" Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: USA Posts: 197	About a month ago had one perched on the rail of my deck for about 4 hours. I sat watching it for nearly the whole time. Beautiful birds and watching it swivel its head to look out over the valley (they don't move thier eyes, but move their entire head instead) was really neat. The beak and talons were also quite impressive. The bird was maybe three feet away (seperated by glass). It was particularly spooky when it turned its head in my direction. Thanks for the pictures.

14 April 2010, 05:29 AM	#11
Letsgodiving "TRF" Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Real Name: Mike Location: Virginia, US Watch: SD 16600 Posts: 4,320	That must have been a really cool experience. Their talons are pretty intimidating looking. I read somewhere that they have close to 10 times the crushing power in their talons than an average adult has in their hands. __________________ The fool, with all his other faults, has this also - he is always getting ready to live. - Epicurus (341–270 BC)

14 April 2010, 06:42 AM	#12
Redrubicon Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Real Name: Mark Location: Maryland Watch: and see. Posts: 88	Fantastic! Its surprising she stayed around for the picts but she was probably protecting her baby. Owls have unbelievable vision. Real clear photos...super cool!!

14 April 2010, 06:43 AM	#13
JJ Irani Fondly Remembered Join Date: May 2005 Real Name: JJ Location: Auckland, NZ Watch: ALL SOLD!! Posts: 74,317	Excellent pics............so life like!! __________________ Words fail me in expressing my utmost thanks to ALL of you for this wonderful support during my hour of need!! I firmly believe that my time on planet earth is NOT yet up!! I shall fight this to the very end.......and WIN!!

17 April 2010, 12:25 PM	#15
Letsgodiving "TRF" Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Real Name: Mike Location: Virginia, US Watch: SD 16600 Posts: 4,320	I traveled out to the nest earlier this evening and the young owlets are starting to fill out a little. The nest is close to a colonial camp that is a recreation of a 1611 English settlement and they have a few turkeys running around and a couple have recently been taken by the parents. It's a big job to keep these little ones well fed. __________________ The fool, with all his other faults, has this also - he is always getting ready to live. - Epicurus (341–270 BC)

17 April 2010, 01:10 PM	#16
Latrodectus 2025 TitaniumYM Pledge Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Real Name: Fred Location: KY, USA Watch: GMT-Master II Posts: 10,053	Wow...that is such a cool looking picture! Nature is just great. Super! __________________ Member # 16057 4-Hands Club Tosser Club Member TRF Skypers Group

17 April 2010, 01:40 PM	#17
Letsgodiving "TRF" Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Real Name: Mike Location: Virginia, US Watch: SD 16600 Posts: 4,320	Thanks so much Fred. It really is a treat for me to be able to see these guys. They are getting tough to catch through all the leaves but it was very windy today so I was able to get a clear shot with the right timing. They are still pretty young so it looks like they will be in the nest for a few weeks so I hope to have some more opportunities. __________________ The fool, with all his other faults, has this also - he is always getting ready to live. - Epicurus (341–270 BC)

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