The crisp morning air of the Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge greeted me as I pulled into the parking lot before sunrise. Sipping on my coffee and enjoying a quick breakfast, I scanned the area, eager to start photographing the diverse wildlife the refuge is known for. Suddenly, a flash of brown wings darted across the road in front of my truck. “Barred Owl?” I thought to myself, grabbing my camera with a surge of excitement.
Following the bird’s flight, I spotted it perched on a branch in a nearby tree. But as my eyes adjusted to the dim light, my initial guess vanished. It wasn’t a Barred Owl – it was a magnificent Great Horned Owl!
Unfortunately, the pre-dawn light wasn’t ideal for capturing this incredible encounter. However, I wasn’t about to give up. For a few minutes, I watched in awe as the Great Horned Owl, seemingly unfazed by a persistent Crow harassing it, remained perched on the branch.
Then, with a powerful beat of its wings, the owl soared back across the road, landing even closer this time! Seeing this golden opportunity, I carefully moved my truck to a position for a better shot. But the ever-vigilant owl must have interpreted this as a threat, because it took flight once more, alighting in a different tree.
Undeterred, I decided to play the waiting game. Patience is a virtue in wildlife photography, and after a few tense moments, my persistence paid off. The Great Horned Owl returned to the same branch, and this time, the pre-dawn light was just enough to capture its stunning visage.
This close encounter not only provided a fantastic photo opportunity but also sparked my curiosity about these fascinating creatures. Here are some interesting facts about Great Horned Owls:
- Night Vision Superpower: Despite seeing the world in black and white, Great Horned Owls possess incredible eyesight. Their eyes are 35 times more sensitive than human eyes, allowing them to detect prey in near darkness.
- Heads Up! Unlike humans, Great Horned Owls can’t move their eyes side-to-side or up and down. To compensate for this limitation, they can rotate their heads a staggering 270 degrees!
- Size Matters: Female Great Horned Owls are larger than their male counterparts. Scientists believe this size difference relates to their roles – females incubate the eggs, requiring a larger build, while males, tasked with hunting in tight spaces, benefit from a smaller frame.
- Fiercely Territorial: These owls are highly territorial, fiercely defending their domain against intruders, including other owls, to maintain their hunting grounds.
- Partners for Life (but with Breaks): Great Horned Owls are known to mate for life. However, their commitment comes with a caveat – once breeding season ends, the pair goes their separate ways until the next breeding cycle begins.
This encounter with the Great Horned Owl was a true highlight of my visit to Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge. It’s a reminder that sometimes, the most rewarding wildlife experiences come with a touch of patience and a healthy dose of respect for these magnificent creatures.
Gear Used:
- Camera: Canon EOS R5
- Lens: RF100-500 mm F4.5-7.1 L IS USM
Technical:
- Location: Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge (Oklahoma)
- Date and Time Taken: April 8, 2022 (06:08 A. M.)
- Exposure Mode: Manual
- Aperture: f7.1
- Shutter speed: 1/800
- ISO: 6400 (Auto)
- Exposure Compensation: 0.3
- Focal Length: 500 mm