Mop Top

Mop Top, originally uploaded by Hannibals Animals.

Great Horned Owlet in the rain.

I am watching 2 different nests right now. This owlet is the youngest but, it's really close to branching. Any day now! The other nest which I will post about later, has owlets who HAVE fledged. Stay tuned...

Killer Crayfish

Killer Crayfish, originally uploaded by Hannibals Animals.

Defending himself, this crayfish stands boldly and bravely, ready to take out this photographer!

Artsy-Fartsy

Artsy-Fartsy, originally uploaded by Hannibals Animals.

I was in the mood to experiment...

Focused

Here are a few more shots of the Barred Owl. Yes it is totally wild and not in a sanctuary or zoo. She is old and has a cataract in her left eye. I can approach because she knows me. I've spent lot's of time with her from a distance, concerned about her ability to hunt with her cataract. Her vision range is short but she can still catch prey, but misses alot. (I will not disclose location to protect her and her handicap.)

Family of Fuzz

Family of Fuzz, originally uploaded by Hannibals Animals.

Great Horned Owl with 2 Owlets

Ready for Takeoff

Ready for Takeoff, originally uploaded by Hannibals Animals.

Flight of the Barred Owl

Flight of the Barred Owl, originally uploaded by Hannibals Animals.

Barred Owl Preening Movie (55 seconds)

Barred Owl Preening Movie (55 seconds), originally uploaded by Hannibals Animals.

Full Frame

Full Frame, originally uploaded by Hannibals Animals.

An IN-YOUR-FACE shot of my favorite friend, the Barred Owl!

Haunting

Barred Owl with Prey Silouette, originally uploaded by Hannibals Animals.

This Barred Owl with prey flew to a poor position photographically, so I took advantage of a sillouette opportunity and liked the outcome.

Meet the Mrs.

If you follow my uploads, a few days ago I posted Mr. Barred Owl. A few days later, I was lucky enough to meet the Mrs. I knew she was a different owl because she gave out a contact call which was a higher pitched hoot. Females fit that description.



For this one, I used a paint filter because I blew out the highlights, but loved the scene, so I did my best to save the quality of the image.



Lucky enough, I was very close to watch her catch a mouse. I believe that she must be quite old, because I could approach quite close. I also think she is blind in at least 1 eye, but she could track my movement. I can almost guarantee she can see some, although some might say that their facial disks did the job of hearing my movements. Could be...




Note the cataract in her left eye.




She was amazing to watch, and I feel so lucky to get to have such a close encounter. She ranks as my personal #1 for sharing moments with nature without scaring the subject off. Add to that, she hunted, and I saw her mate, and she hooted right in front of me. It doesn't get any better! Stay tuned for more shots...