In the presence of greatness
A couple of weeks ago snow had fallen overnight and I went into Bragg Creek to see what I might be able to photograph in this prelude to winter. I was thrilled when I spied this Great gray owl flying along an old fence line. She looked amazing against the lightly blanketed grass and trees. Her colouring made her appear as a piece of the forest in motion.
This owl has a well-defined hunting ground that I’m familiar with. That said, I hadn’t seen her in over a month until the week before this encounter. That time it was dusk and my camera and I both had trouble focusing as she flew past. She stared at me for several wing beats which looked fantastic. However the images were soft and I came away disappointed for missing some great shots. Persistence paid off, as it often does given enough of it, and she was even more engaging this time around.
Keeping an eye on my whereabouts was a minor distraction to her hunting and she made three separate attacks over the half hour that I watched her. One was successful and a fourth, when she disappeared into the deeper woods, seemed successful given what I could hear.
She hunted on the north side of the gravel road for most of the time I was there. This forest is open with relatively wide spacing between the mostly Aspen trees and tall grass filling in between. On the south side, the forest is dominated by evergreens and is much denser. I will share some more images of this owl from the other side tomorrow.
Christopher Martin Photography 
Reblogged this on Nabhajit Ganguly and commented:
Awesome photography. Impressive and Creative too.
December 12, 2016 at 3:14 am
These are astonishingly beautiful shots! What an incredible experience to be with this magnificent creature.
December 3, 2016 at 7:27 pm
so beautiful ❤️️
November 22, 2016 at 2:21 pm
Picture 2 from this post would be awesome in a calendar or used in animal research documentation. It shows how big and majestic owls truly are.
November 20, 2016 at 10:43 pm
WONDERFUL WORK CHRIS. I ALWAYS LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOUR NEW ADVENTURES. THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR SHARING YOUR AMAZING PHOTOS AND YOUR BRILLIANT COMMENTARY BRINGS EVERYTHING TO LIFE BEFORE YOUR EYES. THANK YOU. I WILL ALWAYS TREASURE THESE MOMENTS IN TIME. FROSTY
November 20, 2016 at 2:34 pm
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Such spectacular photos, especially when set against that gorgeous fresh snow. Well done! You must have the patience of a saint! Thanks for sharing.
November 17, 2016 at 9:44 pm
Thank you Sheri. The more patience that I have, the better things often turn out. It has always been, and continues to be, work in progress.
November 18, 2016 at 1:25 am
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Oh oh oh what wonderful photographs! The second last is my favourite. I’m also thinking about how amazing it must have been just to be there watching her doing her owl thing. That kind of experience is like heaven for me.
Alison
November 14, 2016 at 3:02 pm
Pingback: An owl on the other side | Christopher Martin Photography
Magnificent photography 👌
November 13, 2016 at 5:14 am
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Wow! Phenomenal photos!
November 13, 2016 at 2:58 am
CJ
These are phenomenal.
Best Owls I’ve seen.
Can’t wait to see what you captured on the other side of the road.
Dad
November 12, 2016 at 9:51 pm
stunning photos!
November 12, 2016 at 4:12 pm
Fantastic shots!
Sent from my iPad
>
November 12, 2016 at 2:50 pm
Brilliant Chris.
Frank
November 12, 2016 at 12:52 pm
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WOW WOW WOW
G R E A T
BEAUTIFUL
Have A Nice Weekend!
November 12, 2016 at 12:25 pm
WOW WOW WOW
November 12, 2016 at 12:19 pm
Chris, this series of images is truly phenomenal.
Just beautiful.
November 12, 2016 at 12:18 pm
Amazing photos! Love the ones in which she is looking at the camera.
November 12, 2016 at 12:08 pm
Magnifique…
November 12, 2016 at 11:49 am
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These are so exquisitte–she is!–I am deeply moved. Thank you for documenting wildlife, and owls in paricular.
November 12, 2016 at 11:47 am
Wonderful photographs!
November 12, 2016 at 11:41 am
Exquisite !
November 12, 2016 at 11:37 am
Reblogged this on clawingmywayin and commented:
Great shots of owl
November 12, 2016 at 11:25 am
Christopher, These are incredible and truly did leave me breathless. They are masterfully shot. She is magnificent.
November 12, 2016 at 11:12 am
Thank you so much Jane.
November 13, 2016 at 6:18 am
It almost seems as if she’s posing.
November 12, 2016 at 10:53 am
wwwwwwwwwooooooooooooooow awesome ❤ it
November 12, 2016 at 10:40 am
I love this I believe you have a wonderful eye for nature!
November 12, 2016 at 10:37 am
Thank you – that is a very kind compliment.
November 12, 2016 at 10:56 am
Breathtaking! Thank you for sharing the beauty you capture.
November 12, 2016 at 10:36 am
Thank you so much!
November 12, 2016 at 10:56 am
Love the photos; I’ve reblogged your post and also shared it on my Fb page.
November 12, 2016 at 10:35 am
Cool! Thank you!
November 12, 2016 at 10:57 am
Incredible images. Great work.
November 12, 2016 at 10:33 am
Thank you!
November 12, 2016 at 10:56 am
Reblogged this on viatainromania.
November 12, 2016 at 10:32 am
THESE PICTURES ARE THE BEST ONES YET. AWESOME!
November 12, 2016 at 10:30 am
Thank you Helen. I hope you are enjoying a good weekend.
November 12, 2016 at 10:57 am
Wonderful
November 12, 2016 at 10:19 am
Thank you Claire.
November 12, 2016 at 10:57 am
Perfect colour! I love your advice about persistence pays off Thanks!
November 12, 2016 at 10:18 am
Hi Annerose – it has taken a long time for me to actually appreciate persistence and it still flies in the face of a lack of patience at times! Have a great day!
November 12, 2016 at 10:59 am
Yes, it’s one of those things that is easy to say but hard to actually do. I so love your work, and I think persistence is a huge part of it. Thanks!
November 14, 2016 at 9:59 am