New Tenant

[ktuli]

After just a little more than a year, our owl box has a tenant - an Eastern Screech Owl (Megascops asio)! I'm really hoping we get to see a pair and possibly even some owlets. It is even cooler that this little guy is the rufous (red) morph.

My first ever wild owl photo!


Darkness falling quickly, couldn't focus, had to crank ISO, but it is still a beautiful photo to me and my wife!

I know the photos are pretty bad. I'm going to do my best to get better ones, but I wanted to at least record the event just in case he decided he didn't like it there and left.

Any suggestions on how to get better results would be greatly appreciated!

- Bill

[Bobobird]

Lucky you. That is really cool (and I am totally jealous).

Just like having a new kid.

You would firstly want it to really settle in and get comfortable with his new home (and seeing you all the time).

Keep flash out of it. If you do, use it for bounce only and not directly onto them or their eyes.

When he/she pairs up and the owlets emerge - you will have tons of fun time.

Sometimes give it a mouse/rat as encouragement to remain put.

Also read up how Alan Murphy does his setups to get natural non-feeder like shots.
http://www.alanmurphyphotography.com/blog/

[kdoc856]

congrats, Bill on your new family.

We put up a barred owl box recently, wtih no takers so far. I shot a squirrel and tied it to a nearby tree branch, but no one seemed to notice except my wife and it creeped her out so she made me take it down.

Looking forward to your future shots, and I'll be watching the threads to pick up any photog hints.

[Shadowman]

very nice capture.

[Stagecoach]

Bill, set your camera on a tripod up close and use a radio remote. I did this when capturing some nesting bluetits a few years ago and they soon got used to it.

[Stinky]

Really cool. Can't wait to see more.

[dulceza]

I am totally jealous

Me too. I would like to have an owl , but how to do that?
It is the owl choosing the "landlord" or is a special box attracting a "tenant" owl? Please keep us informed about their behaviour.
I read that they have a very expressive body language.