Predator at Rest

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Predator at Rest

Even though I drove by this tree/bush  several times Nov. 7, 2014, at the Ridgefield NWR, I did not pick up that this awesome Great Horned Owl was nestled in the center area of this tree with many sprawling branches and twigs.  The bird was at camera level, about 90 feet away, with no obstructing branches but it blended so well in the darkness of the surrounding foliage. My brother, Gary, was the one who tipped me off to this bird.  Even as I parked there to take shots several times during the day, other vehicles would pass slowly by me, their occupants not even realizing that this bird was there.  The light on the bird would come and go as the fairly low-in-the-sky sun slowly changed positions and cast shadows from other trees in the forest.  Here, the sun was right where I wanted it and the bird had lowered its head in front of its body as if it were sending out a warning.

Canon 5D Mark III, 1/400, f5.6, ISO 800, 700mm (500 + 1.4x), 3:06 p.m.

Even though I drove by this tree/bush  several times Nov. 7, 2014, at the Ridgefield NWR, I did not pick up that this awesome Great Horned Owl was nestled in the center area of this tree with many sprawling branches and twigs.  The bird was at camera level, about 90 feet away, with no obstructing branches but it blended so well in the darkness of the surrounding foliage. My brother, Gary, was the one who tipped me off to this bird.  Even as I parked there to take shots several times during the day, other vehicles would pass slowly by me, their occupants not even realizing that this bird was there.  The light on the bird would come and go as the fairly low-in-the-sky sun slowly changed positions and cast shadows from other trees in the forest.  Here, the sun was right where I wanted it and the bird had lowered its head in front of its body as if it were sending out a warning.

Canon 5D Mark III, 1/400, f5.6, ISO 800, 700mm (500 + 1.4x), 3:06 p.m.

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