My first Owl sighting.

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Rick N
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My first Owl sighting.

Was walking along a path at the Arid Lands Botanical Gardens, just outside Pt Augusta, when an Owl exploded from a bush alongside the path.

I didn't even have time to raise the camera before the bird was gone, so I was fairly well cursing not having seen one beforesmiley

Birds going crazy in a gum in the distance caught my attention so I was at least a little bit ready when the Owl appeared again, being harassed by a variety of birds including Magpies, Red Wattle Birds, Willie Wagtails and even a Nankeen Kestrel.

They attacked relentlessly until the poor bird flew away in defeat, no doubt planning some retribution for the coming nightsmiley

rawshorty
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How great is that, awesome pics, Rickyes

Shorty......Canon gear

Canberra

http://www.flickr.com/photos/rawshorty/ 

sparrow
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WOW, what a buzz your first owl photos and then some ,I think I like the ones with the maggies the most, I can't make up my mind  but I love the look in the kestrels eye ,Brilliant !

windshear
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Awesome pics Rick! :) 

That kestrel sure is mean-lookin'. 

WhistlingDuck

Wonderful photos ... that kestrel does look ready for a fight with his talons out.

Thanks for sharing your amazing pics.

ndmansfield
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Fantastic photos, you can experience the energy and haste as the hunter becomes the hunted. The gleam in the eyes of the Magpie and Kestrel show that they meant business.

Can you tell us what camera/lens combination you used Rick?

Rick N
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Thanks all for your lovely comments.

nd, Camera is D600, lens Nikon300mm/ f4 with Nikon 1.4tc.

Just to show how strange life can be, the next day, 200klm away in Yeldulknie Conservation Park, saw my second Owl smiley

ndmansfield
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Thanks for the info and the photo Rick. I've yet to see your owl so you are having a very good year. Great photo too - looks so warm and cozy.

Canonguy
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Both Eastern Barn Owls. Good to show the aggressive kestrel attacking it, as it really shows HOW SMALL the EBO really is!

Good on ya mate, you gotta be hooked now. :)

Rick N
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Hooked is not the right word ,try moving towards obsession smiley Such beautiful birds!

windshear
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I was surprised at how small the Kestrel was next to it... not having seen either in the feathers, as it were.

birdie
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Oh my gosh Rick what a brilliant set of shots..... very happy for you to have had such great success with your first sighting..... you really kept up with the action and the kestrel is amazing in attack !!! laugh

Sunshine Coast Queensland

timrp
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Wow that is Amazing, I would love to see a Barn owl. I have only seen Southern Boobooks.

shoop
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Absolutely outstanding photos Rick, you managed to get just about every angle possible.

Life can be strange that way, I have notice it a few times myself where you see a bird for the first time and then out of nowhere you see them everywhere after that. It was like that for me with the Hardhead Duck, the White-necked Heron and also the blue banded bee (not a bird)  but amazing to photograph. 

Are you like some of us here where you have a list of birds you are marking off? Is there any birds in particular that you are aiming to get that you haven't yet ?.

Kerry - Perth, Western Australia.

Rick N
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Thanks all, Shoop, no I don't have any list,I am just enjoying taking the photos. I am not a list type person,don't care for the numbers. Had a look at another site recently and it was sad how obsessed they seemed to be with counts.I am loving this site with the emphasis on the birds and their behaviour. Taking photos is educating me so much, and I am starting to slow down a bit and getting into the groovesmiley

ndmansfield
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What a great comment, Rick N! It's all about the enjoyment of the birds, seeing them, photographing them, observing their behaviour, etc. As the old song has it, 'That's what it's all about.' Keep sharing your great photos.

Rick N
Rick N's picture

Thanks ND, On a reread I hope my post didn't sound condecending, it was late and too much red wine had been consumedsmiley

I don't have a problem with people counting their sightings, keeping a record of species etc, I do that and it's an enjoyable part of the whole process. It's the counting for counting sake that I don't agree with and from my short time here I don't think I have seen one post that would indicate any of the people contributing are of that bent.

Cheers

Annie W
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Oh no you DID NOT see two.  I am green green green with envy - but completely thrilled & excited for you all at the same time laugh.  I have been on so many Owl pilgrimages - and keep my eyes peeled every other time for them or their pellets etc - but have only seen and heard one Masked fly directly overhead at night.  Even that gave me an Owl buzz for weeks, lol.  How amazing, and to get such a brilliant series of shots too.  Love 'em all, but really adore that last shot of the BO peeking out of his (or her) hollow.  Hope you remembered the hollow spot and kept it secret - because I expect to see more Owl shots from you down the track now.  No pressure laugh

West Coast Tasmania

birdie
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I have to say I agree with your comments about lists Rick ..... I just cant get into it. I dont really care which bird it is in front of me as long as I can take a good picture of it, although it is always wonderful to capture something new. I would not have a clue how many I have seen ... and have no inclination to tick any off.... i cant even remember to write a list of what I have to do for the day laugh

Sunshine Coast Queensland

Woko
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A lists can be an indicator of species richness &, therefore, a guide to habitat quality, if it relates to a specific area. Other than that making a list is a hobby &/or can be useful for bragging rights if you're into that sort of thing.

rawshorty
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On the topic of said lists. I am NOT a twitcher, But in saying that i love the chase of photographing new birds and do have a "photographed List". To me having a list gives me the excitement of finding new birds around this great country of ours.Also when i speak to non birders and they ask me about the birds i photogragh they are in awe of the variety we have. Without my "list" i could not tell them off the variety.

A list to me is an document of the birds i have photographed and there locations, not just a bragging right but can be used for education on location and habitat.

Just my 2c

Shorty......Canon gear

Canberra

http://www.flickr.com/photos/rawshorty/ 

Rick N
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Thanks Woko & rawshorty.

Tthat was why I chose to clarify my comments. Lists can be a good thing for all the reasons you have explained and I also love to chase (must be some sort of hunter, gatherer instinct). It's people that do the  "bragging rights" thing that I don't understand, but we see it in many areas not just bird watching.

Cheers

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