I have spent many early mornings driving the auto tour road at the Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge in Oklahoma hoping to catch a glimpse and photograph the magnificent Great Horned Owl. These large, powerful raptors are regular residents of the refuge but sightings are uncommon as they blend into the trees and keep a low profile during daylight hours.
On one recent predawn excursion, I was thrilled to hear several Great Horned Owls calling to each other as I approached a wooded area near the road. I rolled down my window and could faintly make out two large birds perched close by. One owl passed what looked to be the head of a Pied-billed Grebe to its mate before flying deeper into the woods. It was too dark to get a clear shot but I hoped if I waited patiently, the remaining owl would provide a photography opportunity.
As the morning light slowly increased, I was able to spot the owl still perched on a branch. It was not in an ideal location, with cluttered background and poor light, but I attempted some shots at a high ISO and slow shutter speed. I braced myself and my camera against the truck to steady it as much as possible. Just as I was about to give up, the owl flew across the road to a bare tree – not a great setting but better than before.
I fired off a few more frames, not expecting much. But when I reviewed the photos later, I was surprised and delighted that one image was sharp and clear, perfectly capturing the owl’s intense gaze. The early morning persistence and patience had paid off with this rare glimpse into the life of the reclusive Great Horned Owl. Though not the perfect shot, it is a treasured addition to my wildlife photography portfolio.
Steve Creek, Wildlife Photographer
Gear Used:
Camera: Fujifilm X-T3
Lens: Canon EF 100-400 mm f/4.5-5.6 L IS II (attached with a Fringer EF-FX Pro)
Technical:
Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge (Oklahoma)
Date and Time Taken: March 27, 2021 (07:01 A. M.)
Aperture: f5.6
Shutter speed: 1/40 (as determined by the camera)
ISO: 5000
Exposure Compensation: +1
Focal Length: 400 mm