While walking the dogs in the local park I spotted a juvenile owl. Next day I went armed with camera and partner to walk the dogs while I searched..... he bet me 50 bucks it wouldn't still be around!
Anyway I took off my shoes and paddled across the creek, on the other side I scouted around while swatting mozzies and picking leeches off my bleeding ankles (yeuch!)Then I noticed a commotion going on the other side of the creek, magpie larks dive bombing an adult Powerful owl.Back I went and strated photographing the gorgeous bird, who seemed quite nonchalent about not only the bombardment of the magpie larks but also me snapping away with glee. My kelpie then arrived with partner and old dog in semi-hot pursuit, and was equally wowed by the owl. Then he spotted another adult in the tree next to the first. He reckons that because he spotted the second owl that I owe HIM $50...so we are quits!
woops sorry meant to post this one
Use what talents you possess; the woods would be very silent if no birds sang there except those that sang best
Use what talents you possess; the woods would be very silent if no birds sang there except those that sang best
Wow!
Wow alright!
so lucky to spot them they blend in so well, love owls but a hard thing to find
Superb Hev, Check out the Talons on that sucker.
You got shafted to Hev, tell your other half he owes you $50.00.
nice take heva and cool eyes! i think you are really quits, too :grin:
Wow indeed! Beautiful, hev, and great shots of them too.
.
I've noticed the owls out myself lately, too. I came home Tuesday night to see a Tawny Frogmouth resting on the handrail on my back steps. Too dark for a photo unfortunately.
Last week I came home to see a Southern Boobook sitting up on the powerlines out the front.
Cheers
Tim
Brisbane
Just breathtaking Heva - well done! That last shot looks like he/she is saying *sigh* yes I know I'm beautiful.
We are thinking of adding a nocturnal bird survey to the BIBY surveys early next year too. I have been getting quite a lot of enquiries about owls and frogmouths lately.
Nice capture.
For a while there I thought it was your kelpie that spotted the second owl!
- soakes
soakes
Olinda, Victoria, Australia
thanks guys:) it certainly was a magical moment for me, they are such serene birds, and ones I have never seen before.
Holly-I think he is saying "have you got my best side?"
Soakes-well, my kelpie did have a hand(paw) in the spotting as the previous night she ran along the creek and the immature one flew up onto a low branch. She says she wants her payment in pig's ears though not dollars!
tassie-'tis not the first time I have been stitched up with a bet-he is not to be trusted!lol
Use what talents you possess; the woods would be very silent if no birds sang there except those that sang best
Hev I could have sworn I responded to this early this morning.... but I must have forgotten to hit reply or something... it was 5am so I am excused.
Absolutely beautiful work and you must have been so happy with the find. Re Steve... you are lucky to have a partner you can drag into the bush with you and who can share your joy over the finds..... so just let him keep his $50 :')
But you should pay up to the Kelpie though LOL
Sunshine Coast Queensland
haha birdie...dragged my bestie along there today, midst complaints of mozzies, mud, leeches and she was even sure she could hear hissing snakes!but then she spotted two owls sitting in a tree and it made it all seem worthwhile.....then I spotted a third owl and then a FOURTH in the same tree ...how wow is THAT??!!
Use what talents you possess; the woods would be very silent if no birds sang there except those that sang best
Great find Heva! What town are you in, out of curiosity?
Love the immature plumage, they still look so fluffy and cute. Fierce hunters though. :)
Hi Akos, in Belgrave Vic.(Dandenongs) I think the the 4 I saw this arvo were two adults and two juveniles, I read in my field guide that they stay with the parents quite a long time, they certainly seemed quite large.
Use what talents you possess; the woods would be very silent if no birds sang there except those that sang best
Two adults and two immature are about normal. Their clutch size I believe is usually two. Congrats! I have been checking my local sites now that ours fledged but have not seen them yet. :(
Todays find, I couldnt get all four in the shot with the lens I had with me, so here's three of them.
and number four....
Use what talents you possess; the woods would be very silent if no birds sang there except those that sang best
All I have to say is WOW!
Those birds are truelly beautiful and I am yet to see a Powerful Owl...or any Owl.
Regards to the Nocturnal birds survey, I think that is a great idea.
Again beautiful shots heva1. :)
Oh Hev................ you are so lucky to see them. I would brave the leeches with you any day girl to see that!! what's a few blood suckers between friends???
Just love number four ..... so cute and obviously very curious.
I saw Brahminy Kites today at the beach . :') I think it was a mother and a juvenile learning to hunt and fly.
Sunshine Coast Queensland
Is this a good time to mention this slightly disturbing video?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v0uerPJInU0
:-/
- soakes
soakes
Olinda, Victoria, Australia
The only thing disturbing about that video in my opinion is the fact that they appeared to be kept in a box in captivity ( hopefully it may have been a rescue) and the most disturbing of all was the ignorant comments that followed it. :'(
Sunshine Coast Queensland
Great shots Heva. Did you take these Sherbrooke side or Emerald side of Belgrave?
Oxalis is not my friend
hi bushbirdnerd-I took them in Belgrave park, pretty much in the centre of Belgrave.
Use what talents you possess; the woods would be very silent if no birds sang there except those that sang best
I was photographing a pair of adults at dusk yesterday near the town of Winmalee, NSW. I was absolutely annihilated by mosquitoes. Whoever invented those insects should be shot! :) Will post my pair soon!
Humdinger shots Hev!
Just a little update...the four Owls are still there in the park, strangely they sit closer to the path of the park now.... maybe they are just sticky beak insomniacs! This one yesterday was dozing holding his bounty of a possum while the two juveniles sat close warbling thier begging call...but the possum was not for sharing :)
Use what talents you possess; the woods would be very silent if no birds sang there except those that sang best
Hi Hev is that Belgrave lake park?
Have you been to birds land reserve?
hi cath and shane, yes Belgrave lake park, I have been to birdsland reserve a few times, but the dogs have to be on leads there....and my young kelpie not very patient when I am trying to take photos and she is on the lead!
Use what talents you possess; the woods would be very silent if no birds sang there except those that sang best
Good catch Hev well done
Sunshine Coast Queensland
Use what talents you possess; the woods would be very silent if no birds sang there except those that sang best