When Daryl posted a photo of a snowy owl in our local group, I posted my appreciation. My comment might have also revealed a wee bit of jealousy. Although I am not a wildlife photographer, there is something about snowy owls that seems special, but I have never seen one let alone take a picture.
Daryl sensed this feeling of mine and offered to take me to them in the somewhat private area that he has access to through his work: an area of many many acres of almost empty, flat fields.
On a cold winter day, he picked me up and took me to the fields. Spotting the owls was not easy, but he managed to find our first bird. It was so far off that it was just a blurry speck in the photos at full zoom. In point of fact, my longest lens wasn't up to the job.
Guess what Daryl did. He handed me his camera and let me shoot with his longer and better lens. The photos that I will post below were all from his equipment but my clicking and developing.
We drove around for quite a long time, spotting a few birds in the distance and seeing a few fly off as our car got too close, but finally there was this shot.
Keep in mind that this and all of these photos are at full 600mm zoom and even then cropped significantly in the computer. I should also note that they were also taken from the vehicle with the window rolled down on a very cold day.
As you can see, the rock-strewn surroundings were not the prettiest environment, but the owl is reasonably well defined, and I think it was smiling at me. Of course, I am imagining that, but it looks like that, and we do ten to anthropomorphize the critters.
At that point, I had seen several owls, including seeing two or three fly off and taken this pretty well focused photo. I was satisfied with that, but Daryl kept driving and looking for a better shot.
He found bird in a better location, and it seemed quite content to stay there.
That was even better to me than the first photo, but Daryl was then able to mov the car slightly closer where I also had a better angle and background.
Needless to say, I am right chuffed with these photos.
There are generous people in this world. Although Daryl and I are just acquaintances, he was willing to spend hours driving me to the location and then around the fields. He then gave up his equipment, so I could have this experience. How amazing is that‽
This old guy is pretty happy to have had this howling success of an experience.
Indeed, they are breath taking photos. What a wonderful opportunity/adventure you had. Thank you for sharing those and the story of how you obtained them. More kindness like that is needed in this world right now.
ReplyDeleteSome people go the extra mile.
DeleteWhat a generous man. I think he was thrilled to find a fellow enthusiast. Lovely pictures. It's such an eerie ghostly bird.
ReplyDeleteHe certainly didn't mind sharing.
DeleteWow, those are great photos....me too, never seen a snowy in person. But I just don't hang out in the right places either! So glad your friend provided you this opportunity.
ReplyDeleteThanks. It was a good experience for an old fella.
DeleteWow, what a friend. I'm into sharing like that too. I took my geologist friend to places that he'd never have access too and listened to him howl with joy at the rocks we found.
ReplyDeleteI've never seen a snowy owl but would love to.
I geek out at seeing a bald eagle [nearly every day in the winter] and geek out over most any bird...even those at the feeder in the yard. But seeing them in the wild and getting shots like that???? Woooo weee!
What a beautiful bird.
And what a great acquaintance.
Wasn't that sharing remarkable?
DeleteIt was.
DeleteThat is very cool! Every time something like this happens to me, it restores my faith in humanity.
ReplyDeleteI too have never seen a snow owl outside of a zoo or bird sanctuary. Until last summer, I'm not sure I even have photographed an owl.
I was so surprised for the offer and time and gas spent.
DeleteThat owl blends in with the ground. Reminds me of the birds that strut on my street.
ReplyDeleteAmazing to see these gorgeous animals! Fabulous photos! Avian envy here!
ReplyDeleteYes it was great, but you get many critter photos where you are.
DeleteI'm so jealous, too! What a lovely adventure and fun photos to remember it.
ReplyDeleteit was satisfying.
DeleteSnowy owls will occasionally fly in front of my vehicle as I drive. It's fast; photos aren't an option. But it is a gift sight, just the same.
ReplyDeleteFrom the doorstep the kind of owls I usually hear are Great Horned ones.
Even before I had the good photos, I was thrilled to see them fly.
DeleteYou had a wonderful adventure! The remark about the window down on a cold day made me feel the chill. Aloha friend, wishing you a good week
ReplyDeleteChuffed you should be! Those are fantastic and what a wonderful way to spend time with a friend (and a good friend, to share a secret place AND a camera!) I have never seen a snowy owl and it's the one strain I would love to see most. (I suppose that means spending more time in the snow. Pity, that.) Well done, AC!
ReplyDeleteI probably would have called it quits, but the good photos happened at the end.
DeleteHe is a generous person for sure. And the owl is smiling at you. I'm certain of it! These are wonderful photos, you are right to be chuffed.
ReplyDeleteAnd your comments has me smiling too.
DeleteThey are beautiful birds. Lucky you!
ReplyDeleteIndeed, to both observations.
DeleteWoah!!!! Justin Trudeau just resigned. AC, I would greatly appreciate a discussion from you if you are willing to do so, to a) describe from a citizen’s perspective what this is really about and b) on whether or not you felt this is/was a good decision and why.
ReplyDeleteI was rather surprised.
PipeTobacco
The thing is that there is no Canadian perspective, but I do have mine. JT has done a lot for this country such as low cost daycare for young parents, and for people like me -- good dental care. He got us through C19 with good supports. We did really well during the pandemic.
DeleteThe Canadian Press has largely turned Conservative, one organization at least being owned by rightwing Americans. The opposition and media have harped at him for 10 years, and it has a cumulative effect. I think this happens to just about every PM and party in power.
The far right are still mad at him about C19 masks even though it only affected few people since it is the provinces that control health care. People are angry about the carbon tax, even though most of us get refunded as much or more than it costs us. And it appears to be working to reduce emissions, but then nobody really cares about climate change. Or if they do, they think it is not anthropogenic, so, "We can't do anything about it."
At this point, it is probably best that he resign because the Liberal Party is becoming fractured over his leadership, mainly because they are reading the tea leaves with an election upcoming. I think they'll lose regardless. Sadly.
Unless the nation really takes to a new Liberal leader, we will elect a party that will reduce our benefits and kowtow to Trump and more importantly, Musk, who seems like he's getting set to run the world.
To add to your perspective, I am glad he has decided to go because of the fracturing you describe. I think that what happened is fairly common with long term leaders; the leader is in a bubble where his advisors tell him only the good things. In trying to pull Freeland, he made a big, big mistake. Misread what she felt and what she would do. But, like you, I am frightened about what a Conservative government in its present form would mess up.
DeleteI have never been a Trudeau Junior fan; he is facile and a drama king. But he did manage the pandemic well. Agree, truly, with what you have said.
Mary. I have run into almost emergency dental work in the past two months. The dental plan came into being in time for me to save a lot of $, with more coming work up. It's a decent plan too and better than the private plans that I used to have through work.
DeleteThese are incredible! Holy cow that's cool.
ReplyDeleteIt's a different environment than yours, for sure.
DeleteWhat an incredible experience! I can understand your excitement. Those owls are gorgeous creatures. I read your response to PT above and am even more depressed about the state of the world. Sigh.
ReplyDeleteDoom looms, I'm afraid.
DeleteBeautiful and a credit to you both. Thanks for a happy time viewing those gorgeous birds.
ReplyDeleteIt was a very good experience.
DeleteThese are great shots. What a nice guy Daryl is!
ReplyDeleteKudos to Daryl for being the ultimate wingman (pun fully intended), lending you his equipment. I can't wait to see those frosty, feathery beauties in their full, zoomed-in, and cropped glory!
ReplyDeleteWell put. 😊
DeleteYou realize how fortunate you are to see these birds.
ReplyDeleteI do.
DeleteSnowy owls are magnificent. I used to see one on my way to work, topping a phone pole, looking for prey.
ReplyDeleteDaryl has got some on fences or tree stumps, but they were on the ground on that day. However, I am very happy with the photos that I posted.
DeleteWow. Daryl is a wonderfully generous soul. Your pictures are great!
ReplyDeleteFor sure.
DeleteMy God, how beautiful.
ReplyDeleteYes, how great.
Incredible photos of these beautiful snowy owls.
It's fantastic that you with Daryl had such a great experience.
And it's wonderful that we can look at these great pictures in peace... from the sofa. AND you believe me when I say "I would have liked to have seen it in real life too", don't you?
Best wishes to you and thank you.
Viola