Another Great Gray Owl

[ronwoodcraft]

Came across another Great Gray Owl today. Lighting conditions were very poor...Sort of rainy and in the shade. ( Had a hard time with white balance in processing. )
I thought they used that beak to tear food apart, but he swallowed that rat/mouse thing whole.
The closest picture was immediately after he swallowed it.

 

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[old digger]

Very Cool! Now that is what I call good timing.

 

[tamrock]

I had great horned owls for a couple years hanging around, but seems they all moved elsewhere. Every now and then, I'll hear them in the late night or early morning, but they no longer rest in the cottonwoods during the day like they did.

 

[Jim in Idaho]

Nice pics, as usual, Ron. I've had a pair of Great Horned nesting in a pine tree next to the house. Second year they've raised a brood here. Two chicks this year. Should be leaving the nest soon. My Swainson hawks moved on....sadly. Really miss that male "talking" to me.
Jim

 

[HCW]

interesting beak.

 

[austin]

Beautiful bird. Very majestic looking. And you always take great pics too. I'm getting an education looking at them...

 

[ronwoodcraft]

Many Thanks Guy's, I was lucky to see him at all. I was driving on an old road up in the high country. The snow is melting fast, but I came to a place where there was a patch of snow about 18" deep. I could see gravel on the other side, but not what was over the little hill beyond. Figured I'd better stop and walk ahead before plowing through it. If it was too bad, I planned to turn around. When I got out the owl flew up from the ground where he had apparently just captured his meal, and flew across the road into the tree's. I went back to the pickup and got the camera, then located him again.

 

[Old Dude]

Awesome series of pics! Looks like they have as much brown as gray in their coloring. I have seen very few owls in my life. Thanks for sharing those pictures with us. I enjoy seeing wildlife

 

[ronwoodcraft]

Awesome series of pics! Looks like they have as much brown as gray in their coloring. I have seen very few owls in my life. Thanks for sharing those pictures with us. I enjoy seeing wildlife

I questioned the last one of these too. Wasn't sure what kind of owl it was because of the brown colors. I submitted the pics to someone who knows, and he said it was indeed a Great Gray Owl. The brown is caused by worn feathers, and next time it moults, it will be all gray again.

 

[BearCreek]

Those are beautiful pictures!