We have been visiting a pair of Powerful Owls near the Parramatta CBD for about a month. The first time I managed an image of the adult pair interacting during courtship was when I stayed on dusk about four weeks ago while three of my friends left thinking that was the end of the action. I stood under a huge Eucalypt about 20m from the roosting male, as he was clutching half a Rainbow Lorikeet he must've caught the morning of that day during the dawn hour. His mate was roosting about 30m away right over a busy walking track. On dusk, I was only hoping to see the male eat the lorikeet and maybe first regurgitate a pellet, which they often do at dusk. What happened was unbelieveable. He called a few times on dusk and she called back. As it got darker he flew across towards me and landed directly above my head, about five meters up. He then started to eat the remains. About one minute later, she flew in next to him and he broke off small pieces to feed her as a form of courtship/bonding behaviour. I had to slowly walk about 30m back to get a clear shot of the pair as they interacted. Sadly, while there was a lot of activity, my flash batteries (DAMN, DAMN, DAMN!) very getting very flat so I could take one shot every 30 or so seconds. In the end, I set the camera to ISO3200 and took shots of her with my torch as light as she remained in the end, eating peacefully, after she snatched the lorikeet from her mate. He flew off to hunt more I guess.
This got a few of my friends excited and we returned many a night to watch, learn and witness and photograph some INCREDIBLE behaviour, including mating. May post a photo of that too.
Enjoy!
Male with Rainbow Lorikeet on his roost while the daylight was slowly fading away.
He is warming up before nightshift starts.
Talons that kill! Taken with two converters from close (they are very tolerant of humans) at a focal length of 1,400mm.
Male on left with lorikeet.
He is feeding the female (on right).
Another morsel about to be passed to his lady.
...and in the first photo you can just see his rearely seen yellow/green tail feathers (reminiscent of socks)!
HAHHAHAH.
Fantastic experience, Windy, and terrific photos as usual.
- soakes
soakes
Olinda, Victoria, Australia
I read your story over and over, and looked and your shots over and over they are just amazing. Those talons sure do look like they can do some damage.
You can almost see the love in their eyes in the last shot. One day we will be lucky enough to witness this, we have gone looking at a certain spot but to no avail, patience is the game as we can see by your story. Thanks so much for posting these beautiful shots.
Thanks for giving us a unique glimpse into the world of the Powerful Owls. These photos blew me away not just for the quality of the shots but also the story that unfolds with them. You must have been a very happy man when you got home and looked at these considering you could have had flat batteries or gone home with your mates. A special moment and thanks again Akos.
Regards
Shane
thank you very much for the pics and words
I looked through the sequence a few times and kept going back to #4
Peter
Awww..... give me a break Soakes lol I htought I had discovered a new sub species ha ha
Akos... you know how I feel about this sequence, they are just stunning and for most of us... we would be lucky to ever see anythng like it. It is such a privilege to share such glimpses into their lives
Sunshine Coast Queensland
Really well done Akos for staying back and getting such great shots of the action. These are one of my bogey birds having spent some time looking for them.
Cheers, Owen.
Wow just wow, thanks for such a great series.
Thanks Windhover. Your time waiting pay off good on you.
Nightowl
See it! Hear it!
Mid-North Coast NSW
I'm with all the comments above, some stunning photography and story.
Richard
I've succumbed to the birding bug!
Alice Springs, NT
Yes, I agree with everyone. Fantastic shots, and a lovely story.
Karen
Brisbane southside.
I am so glad you shared these shots Akos - they are just stunning
Thanks guys. Last check on the nesting progress was the male being observed. She must be deep inside the hollow sitting on eggs now. I hope we will see the owlets poke their heads out by mid-late August.