Great Horned Owl Chicks

I've been photographing great horned owl chicks in a nest. I'll be continuing to photograph them, more, as they mature.

These photos were taken with a Canon 1Ds Mark II, some with a 600 f/4 lens with a 1.4x teleconverter, others with a 600 f/4 with a 2x tele. Apertures ranged from f/5.6 to f/11, depending on the shot and the lighting conditions. I did flash some of them, not to get enough light, but to fill the shadows so that the bright, sunlit highlights wouldn't blow out. However, owls are especially prone to red-eye. When I go back, I will be using my flash ~15 feet off of my camera.

I hope you enjoy.


©Mike Spinak


©Mike Spinak

More will be coming, over the next few weeks.

Really nice series Mike, thanks for posting them!

Nice! Amazingly cute little fuzz-balls!

Thank you, Don and Jack.

Jack, if you'd like to shoot them with me, give me a call.

I'd love to Mike, but the longest lens I have now is a 210 for my MF camera, or about an effective 150mm of reach

Do you still have any Canon DSLRs? If so, I can probably scrounge up a long lens to loan you.

Hi Mike,

Thanks so much for showing these, they are beautiful creatures (and pictures). Is this nest out there in the wild or is it in a reservation/park area? Can you use a flash gun without scaring them? Show us more please

Cheers,

Cem

Mike,

Amazing!

Magnificent!

Now how far away are they?

Asher

Cem,

Thanks.

These are non-captive, wild birds which take care of themselves, which chose this nest site of their own accord. The nest is in a regional park.

Asher,

Thank you.

They're close! Just a wild guess, but I'd say I was about 40 feet away from them, and it's easy to get even closer.

The owl parents' judgment in nest location was really poor.

Mike Spinak said:

Do you still have any Canon DSLRs? If so, I can probably scrounge up a long lens to loan you.

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Nope. Down to my Leica M8's, my Mamiya MF digital outfit and my 4x5 view camera. (And the view camera may not be long for this world )

Mike these are REALLY nice. I am in the SF bay area and would LOVE to see them. Where 'bout are these?

Thanks for sharing.

-- Vivek

Mike Spinak said:

Thank you, Don and Jack.

Jack, if you'd like to shoot them with me, give me a call.

Click to expand...

Vivek,

Feel welcome to call me: (831) 325 6917.

Mike Spinak said:

Vivek,

Feel welcome to call me: (831) 325 6917.

Click to expand...

Mike

Thanks for the number. I have not visited the site lately. I shall try to call you during my lunch hour today.

Regards

-- Vivek