Friday, January 10, 2014

TECHNICAL DIFFICULTIES, PLEASE STAND BY

A big wet storm dumped snow here all yesterday.  DH cleared the driveway twice and then the snowplow came by in the middle of the night and left a wall of ice behind the cars so there was more snow to move this morning.  While he was diligently working on snow removal I was out past the golf course playing in the white stuff with my snowshoes.  Just as I reached the river a big gray ghost silently coasted over my head.  After I got over being spooked I saw a huge owl settle into a tree a few yards away.  I dropped my ski poles, fumbled in my pocket, pulled out my cell phone, and walked forward hoping to at catch a shot of the big bird.

What I didn't notice was my cell camera was set on movie, not snap shot so this is what I got---

Very cool snowshoes, huh!?

What I really saw was this-- 
(stolen from a better prepared photographer who posted this great shot on the web).
Big--the size of a small fuzzy dog--pointy feather ears--round yellow eyes.

When I realized my blunder I fixed my cell camera settings.  By then the owl had flown off, but to a tree not far away so I did get a photo of lots of branches and a big gray blob.  Anyway, it was awesome to see.

12 comments:

joeh said...

We still believe you.

Joanne Noragon said...

Yes, awesome!
Some mornings as I go to work there is a big owl on top of a phone pole, keeping watch over the farmer's field.

Anonymous said...

Nice shoes!!

Val said...

It kind of looks like a fat gray cat, but I'll go along with Joe. I believe you.

TALON said...

Awwww! But at least our eyes don't miss the shot, Leenie!

This made me giggle (sorry) and reminded me of a time a friend and I were hiking up on the Niagara Escarpment. It's an area known for owls and hawks. So we're hiking, I'm carting my Nikon and my big zoom and we stop to look down over this gorgeous valley when suddenly something flies out of a tree about five feet away and we both squealed in fright. A Great Horned Owl nearly took our heads off. Needless to say, I missed the shot. But the silent flight? Over the valley? A precious memory.

Alica said...

Wow! You get all the fun wildlife out there!

Anonymous said...

I can believe it did spook you...that is one big bird.

Elizabeth said...

Wonderful owl and very cool movie!

Sarah said...

Beautiful! What kind of owl is it?
Good snow shoes too!

Florida Farm Girl said...

Oh, aren't great horned owls just wonderful? I've only seen one up close in the wild but he was patient so that I got good pictures.

Terry and Linda said...

Oh! Yes! Something like that is just outstanding and awesome and humbling!

Linda
http://coloradofarmlife.wordpress.com

Linda Sue said...

You getting out into it! Admirable, Ms, I can not get my motor going though I have had intentions to go out today...It's too damned icky, clammy bone chilling cold wind that nestles in. Muscles, joints, even my heart is shivering! Bleah!