The Advantage of Height
While kayaking three weeks ago, I was able to take photos of some Great Horned Owls, a parent and two hatchlings. I returned yesterday, and the fledglings are much bigger. Left to themselves while the adult was off hunting, both birds watched intently as I sat below, taking photos. As a hazy morning gave way to blue skies, several small fishing boats passed by, their owners more intent on what lay below.
high above the stream
ever watchful in their nest
young owls looking down
fishermen pass, unaware
as they drift with the current
(click images to see larger view in new tab)
Ken G.
rivrvlogr 
Awesome! Love that last shot especially.
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Thank you, Jennifer. Over a three hour period (I paddled away and back) the sky was intermittently hazy and clear. I got back just in time for that last shot, and I’m happy with it.
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What a marvelous sight that must be! Love this Ken.
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Thank you, Linda. I imagine the parent spends more time away from the nest than in/at it, as it’s probably getting crowded.
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I bet it is. I love owls.
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Thanks for that post! I envy your adventure
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Thank you for coming along!
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Sweet! I love how the circumstances allowed you to tie it all together. The Owls are so “Fierce!” 😊 Almost ready to take on the world. Thank you for sharing this lovely moment. 🌼
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Thank you. Yes, fierce. Imagine how they’ll be when they grow into those beaks!
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Actually no. But I bet even fiercer. Good job must have been very exciting.
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(and now the Who song, Who Are You, drifts thru my head) – good capture, Ken ~
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lol !!
Thank you!
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That’s just amazing, great shots!
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Thanks!
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You’re welcome. I enjoyed!
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So few people look up.
Owls! (K)
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After this, I’ll think of them as eternal watchers.
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How wonderful to see this–and wonderful shots, Ken!
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Thank you, Merril!
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Not only good eyes, you have the patience to observe and absorb what’s more than 3 feet from you. Cool to ponder the owls’ focus on you – was it fixed or sporadic, fascination or ho-hum-too-big-to-eat? (Do they even see all that well in bright light?)
Nice contrast between upward and downward focus.
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Thank you, Jazz. The tree angles from the shore, and the nest is about 50 feet over the water. Each is a pretty sharp image, as a whole, but these are a crop at 100% image size. What I wouldn’t give to be close enough to not have to go full zoom. That would be sharp. As it was, it was hard to steady the long lens while sitting in a kayak.
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I can imagine – I have difficulty with zoom out standing on solid ground!
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And meanwhile, the fisherman probably wondered what I could be looking up at. “The fish are down here!” 😉
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Those guys are big. And I love in your poem the looking up vs. the looking down observers. Two different worlds.
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I meant people, but…I forgot the birds, who can always be at the top looking down.
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🙂
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Thanks. As muddy as the water is, it’s usually a pleasure to look up!
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When I am outside I tend to watch my feet, since I don’t see the ground very accurately and fall a lot, so I have to remember to stop and look up every so often. This poem will remind me. I still can’t get over how much those owls have grown.
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How wonderful!
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😀
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