For the most of our time with the birds my guest had perfect overcast lighting. Occasionally the [...]]]> May 11, 2013 was the perfect day for our Raptors In Flight Photography Workshop held at the Canadian Raptor Conservancy, near Simcoe, Ontario.

For the most of our time with the birds my guest had perfect overcast lighting. Occasionally the sun would appear and create a very harsh light, this allowed many to adjust their cameras exposure compensation (+/-) to prevent blowing out the white feather detail on the subjects.

Sorry, I will blog a little more about this workshop in the next few days as I am behind on packing for a road trip to Nova Scotia with my wife and several of the furry kids (our dogs).

Please enjoy the slideshow of images of the guest and from 2 of the guest, more to come when the others send me some, hint, hint!

Several [...]]]> I was very excited to be invited by my good friend and fellow photographer David Hemmings to locate the several Great Gray Owls we heard about in the Ottawa, Ontario region.

Several Great Gray Owls have been located in a public park on the east side of Ottawa and more located in various private locations as well. My adventure began with a Barrie departure of 12:00am to pick up David and make the 5.5 hour drive to arrive in Ottawa for first light. The drive was at some times a little hairy as a very long stretch of Hwy 401 had terrible freezing rain and snow squalls earlier in the day that resulted in a 8 hour closure from a 60 car pile up. Lucky for us the hwy had been cleaned of the accident and our drive was full of good stories, laughs and plenty of hot coffee!

At 6:30am we met fellow photographer Marc Latremoille who would lead us to the public park and hopefully my first view of the Great Gray Owls. With the sun rising and a -24c temperature the 15 minute walk from parking lot to the known owl area was a dam cold one! Once arriving it was only minutes before Marc pointed out a smaller Great Gray in a tree about 300 yards, this owl gave us a few photo opportunities but was back lit by the rising sun (which only lasted 15 minutes, before cloud cover). While busy watching and looking for other owls, the crowd of photographers and birders increased to about 40 by 8:30-9:00 am. By 9:00 am we where all constantly viewing 3-4 of the Great Grays and where treated to may flights, a few chase scenes and many missed attempts at the voles and field mice in the fields that has drawn these owls to this location.

After a few hours and extremely tired we headed for a large breakfast and more coffee with a few other photographers. The forecast for the afternoon was sunny skies so we debated returning to the park setting or trying to locate the owls that where known to frequent the more private areas, (private areas, where photographers have permission from landowners to be). The other photographers in our group said “if” the forecast is correct “and” we get the sunshine, the photo opportunities will be much better at the private location….”if” the owls are present. Well as photographers, we opted for the chance of better light

From 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm, we had those much better opportunities, I think the photos speak for themselves as you can see the difference that great lighting makes!!

It’s amazing how on very little sleep (up now 33 hours) the excitement of being in the presence of these amazing owls can keep you going…. until your done, then, not event the strongest coffee can keep you awake. After a quick dinner of pizza we took the offered hospitality of Marc and by 9:00 pm the couch was my place for the night. Seemed like only minutes when 7:30 am Sunday rolled around, however I do recall dreaming about coming back on what I hope to be a snowy winter day!

There is the possibility that Great Grays can be worked into a Snowy Owl Workshop for guest that are booking 3 or more days, please contact me below if you are interested. Please note, to be successful with the Great Gray Owls and in the better “private” settings, additional charges will be applied as others are involved for this adventure.

Snowy Owl Photography Workshops

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Photographing white owls, on white snow [...]]]> With 2 Snowy Owl Workshop quest onboard for the 3rd week in January, we ventured out into the very fridge -28c days that the recent Arctic Cold Front had brought into much of Ontario.

Photographing white owls, on white snow in whiteout conditions did present a challenge for the guest and tweaking cameras to focus in these conditions did become a priority for the start of each outing. Once cameras where dialed in both participants has success capturing great images of the snowy owls. The male snowy owls where appearing much more then the females this week and did give us several great photography opportunities.

A new arrival to the area was a young male snowy owl, who several times has been witnessed being chased by an adult female. In past years I have seen a few younger males and females chased out of the area, i believe by this same female. However, this young male is still being seen, so maybe the 2 will share some space and if lucky we will have future chances to photograph the young male. Most of his sightings have been on the ground using the snow as camouflage, i think he is the same owl i witnessed being chased by the Bald Eagle the previous week.

As I write this I am very excited to be heading to the Ottawa, Ontario area to photograph (my first) Great Gray Owls. There are numerous reports of several in the area, including 4-5 in a public park that has brought numerous photographers and birders as well as the local media out.

Great Gray Owls Post

If you are interested in photographing the Snowy Owls please contact me using the form below.

Snowy Owl Photography Workshop info here

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With temperatures rising around +5-8c and rain overnight, the snow melted into a mass of mud and unpleasant backgrounds for the owls in flight. Enroute [...]]]>

Yesterday the Barred Owl and Snowy Owls where out in the warmer weather of Ontario.

With temperatures rising around +5-8c and rain overnight, the snow melted into a mass of mud and unpleasant backgrounds for the owls in flight. Enroute to locating the Snowy Owls for the upcoming workshops, I once again came across the very approachable Barred Owl. Several times the Barred Owl was tuned into movement in the low snow cover along the side of the road, I patiently waited for it to launch into flight, which after a few moments it finally did. I missed the flight shots, however I did capture it at a very close distance pulling something out of the snow, it turned quickly and returned with a vole or mouse to a distance roost where I was able to get a few decent images it of it enjoying its latest capture.

I continued on to locate the Snowy Owls in the area. The afternoon weather was now a light drizzle and some fog had moved in, making locating Snowy’s that much more difficult. However, knowing there locations does help in the search. With binoculars in hand, I was able to locate 2 females on the ground and capture a few decent images. ISO was increased to 1600 to retain a fast shutter speed and the wide open f-stop of 4.5 was utalized so the depth of field would keep the dull, green & muddy background out of focus.

All in all, it was a decent outing once again.

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I won’t be reviewing Nikon vs Canon, or Apple vs Microsoft, etc.

My reviews will be the gear I use in the field, why I like [...]]]> Shortly I will be reviewing some of the items I use for my photography.

I won’t be reviewing Nikon vs Canon, or Apple vs Microsoft, etc.

My reviews will be the gear I use in the field, why I like it and why I don’t! I believe most things can be improved, for some people many things are perfect…like your Canon or Nikon . My reviews and opinion will be based on actual use, no sponsored items or “gifts” for that would be biased.

I’ll be honest with the few items I have purchased recently and if things go as planned the reviews will be video reviews.

Comments will be opened for the reviews.

Cheers for now

Len

The scouting days have been a success! Snowy Owl sightings of 8-10 owls have been sighted  and as usual more females then males have arrived in the area that the photography workshops are conducted. [...]]]> The Majestic Snowy Owls have returned!

The scouting days have been a success! Snowy Owl sightings of 8-10 owls have been sighted  and as usual more females then males have arrived in the area that the photography workshops are conducted. A few owls have moved on to other grounds or perished from the exhausting journey, currently it looks like several have established a winter feeding territory near our home base. The farmers report they had a high summer/fall yields which should produce a high quantity of mice and voles for the owls, so once again the Snowy Owl Photography Workshops are ON!

Workshops will commence the week of Monday, January 21 and those already booked or have enquired will be notified shortly to schedule in their date(s). Most workshop dates are held during Mon-Fri (single days and multi days) when requested a weekend day may be scheduled once we have permission from the landowners.

More Snowy Owl Photography Workshop Information

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Over the past few weeks of searching the familiar fields and post lines for the Snowy Owls return I had heard about a couple of Barred Owls. After a couple of conversations [...]]]> Barred Owls located near Snowy Owl workshop area.

Over the past few weeks of searching the familiar fields and post lines for the Snowy Owls return I had heard about a couple of Barred Owls. After a couple of conversations with two fellow photographers, I was able to locate one of the Barred Owls…. thanks Cam and Jamie!

This Barred Owl was quite content if you kept the distance to 100-120′ while roosted. Unfortunately it’s tree position at most times was not out in the open and the many branches obscured a good clean image of the roosting owl. Thankfully, my iPhone and the iBird APP along with a small $20.00 speaker was in the gear bag and with 2 calls I was able to draw  it onto a closer branch.

With the owl now out in the open I had a nice clean roosting image, however, this gave the owl a perfect view of snow covered ground below which was covered in a nice light dusting of snow. Just as I was raising the lens to get that posed image the owl went for something in the snow and I was able to snap off several frames. What ever it went for lived for another day, as the owl flew off empty handed.

I watched it for another 45-60 minutes in the distance through binoculars and on the 4th or 5th attempt it did take something from under the snow. As most owls are, the meal was over quick and off it flew deeper into the woods.

During the upcoming Snowy Owl Workshops, the Barred Owl and other species may be photographed, see this post.

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In late Nov and most of December I spend many days scouting out numerous areas for the upcoming Snowy Owl season. Many days begin at 5:30-6:00 am with a couple [...]]]> Scouting for Snowy Owls for 2013 Snowy Owl photography workshops

In late Nov and most of December I spend many days scouting out numerous areas for the upcoming Snowy Owl season. Many days begin at 5:30-6:00 am with a couple of large coffees in hand (I take mine, 2-cream), some fruit and my trusty bag of raisins…yes I like raisins as a snack.

On occasion a Snowy is seen at quite the distance in the fields, unfortunately, these are mostly transient owls and are usually not viewed for more then 1-2 days as they head elsewhere for there wintering grounds or perish from lack of food and the exhausting flight from the north.

During my travels much time is spent meeting many of the farmers and property owners that I have built a relationship with over the years. These kind and hard working people are some of the nicest people I have ever met. Conversations are laid back and they  make you feel very welcome, that is, once you have gained the trust and respected their property which in many cases is their livelihood.

The late fall of 2012 was very active with many raptor species in several of the areas I frequent during these outings. Red Tail Hawks, Rough-Legged Hawks, Northern Shrike and Northern Harrier where viewed and photographed often. In my part of Ontario, January brings in winter and many species have headed south to warmer climates, but not all, some days the Hawks and the occasional Harrier are seen, of course the fast little Northern Shrike is still around for the winter and is quite the challenge to capture on the best of days!

Come join me on a Snowy Owl workshop this winter near Barrie, Ontario and you may capture some of the birds and raptors in the slideshow below.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me via the form below

Cheers Len

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As expected there was not much [...]]]> With the overcast skies and a light rain falling from Hurricane Sandy, I ventured over to the Minesing Wetlands near Barrie, Ontario in search of anything to photograph on a dull wet October day.

As expected there was not much activity, a Red Tail Hawk in the distance balancing on a single upright branch, a Great Blue Heron on a farmers fence. After a few images of these birds I checked out where the Sandhill Cranes have been appearing for the last few weeks.

Honestly I did not expect to see them today, however, it was a lucky day as they where the closest to the road as I have seen this fall. They did not fly off immediately, possibly the rain and winds the past couple days have kept them in the marsh area, so feeding today was more important then flying away.

With the Canon 1D  MIV, 500mm + 1.4 t/c (700mm) and pushing ISO to 2500, I was able to get a few decent images.