Like RawShorty I got my first Powerful Owl photos a couple of days ago - in fact these are my first of any type of owl.
Was in Lane Cove National Park and had been fruitlessly following a rufous fantail from tree to tree as it flitted about, when up in the dark under the canopy i saw this white shape and yellow eyes peering at me through the leaves. I took a few photos and then i saw one parent on the other side of the tree.
A very cloudy gloomy day with not much light on the owls, and i have lightened up the photos in post processing. I was pleased with how the photos turned out as they were shot handheld at 1/40 to 1/125 with my tamron 150-600 - bit fuzzy at full size, but reduced here hopefully they look OK.
Classic photos WhistlingDuck. It's almost like the adult is giving you the evil eye in the fifth photo you added. The parent is probably thinking "You're lucky you're not a mouse or possum!" The dark grey skin on their faces making a perfect love heart is so cute. I never noticed that before on all the pictures I've seen of Powerful Owls. The chick is adorable and you done a wonderful job at capturing them and the looks on their faces when they spot you. Keep up the great work, WhistlingDuck. Your facial expression photos of these two birds is to die for. They're awesome.
I'm at Tenterfield, NSW. (Formerly known as "Hyperbirds".)
What lovely birds!
Little one looks like it's thinking "My, what a big mouse you are!"
This Lane Cove National Park of yours is starting to sound like the place to go for birds. Magnificent find WD!!
Samford Valley Qld.
Thankyou all for the kind comments.
I had not noticed that heart shape before Hyperbirds - does make the baby look very sweet. I think the parent was staring at me intently to begin with and then deciding to doze off and slowly close one eye and then the next.
I visit Lane Cove NP quite frequently Reflex, so I guess im finding more there because thats where i am looking most.
Great find and love the glare in that fifth photo
Well done, WD. Looks like you trumped me with the young one
Shorty......Canon gear
Canberra
http://www.flickr.com/photos/rawshorty/
Great shots!
I can imagine the excitement & adrenaline flowing through your body as you realise what they are.
I would have been weeing like a puppy to sight these beauties.
Thanks heaps for sharing.
Devster
Nice shots mate.
I am curious as to which part of the park the juvenile was. Don't worry, I'm not some sensless twitcher and I have three nesting pairs that I monitor near Penrith. However, I know of one pair south from Delhi Rd along the river that to my knowledge haven't bred in at least two years. That's why I ask.
Thanks Devster!
Thanks canonguy - was up in northern section of park, where the track follow the creek going north towards thornleigh. Not far north of the junction with the track heading up to pennant hills.
Cool. I thought that maybe the case. I was not confident of the pair I know having much success.
many thanks