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Guy Schmickle | profile | all galleries >> Critters >> Birds of Prey >> The Great Gray Owls of Aitkin County tree view | thumbnails | slideshow

The Great Gray Owls of Aitkin County

I spent the weekend of March 26-27, 2005 in Aitkin County, MN for a final search of the Great Gray Owls which have congregated in this area. The invasion/iruption of these beautiful owls is nearing its end in the state as they are expected to return to their Canadian nesting grounds soon. This gallery is my way of bidding them farewell and preserving the memory of this possibly once-in-a-lifetime event. I was rewarded for my efforts by finally being able to witness an owl in the act of hunting its prey. What made this extra special was that its prey was a mere 20ft or so in front of me. It didn't give a hoot (pardon the pun) about my presence. It was truly a remarkable experience that I won't soon forget.
Anatomy of a Kill - Locating the Victim
Anatomy of a Kill - Locating the Victim		 Anatomy of a Kill - Swooping In
Anatomy of a Kill - Swooping In		 Anatomy of a Kill - The Pounce
Anatomy of a Kill - The Pounce		 Anatomy of a Kill - The Prize
Anatomy of a Kill - The Prize
Anatomy of a Kill - Preparing to Gorge
Anatomy of a Kill - Preparing to Gorge		 Anatomy of a Kill - The Post Meal Belch
Anatomy of a Kill - The Post Meal Belch		 The Late Afternoon Roost
The Late Afternoon Roost		 Getting the Last Laugh
Getting the Last Laugh
Camouflaged
Camouflaged		 Bombs Away!
Bombs Away!		 Ready For Action
Ready For Action		 On the Razor's Edge
On the Razor's Edge
Bird on a Wire
Bird on a Wire		 Looking for Lunch
Looking for Lunch		 Heavily Cropped Facial
Heavily Cropped Facial		 You're Getting Verrrry Sleepy!!
You're Getting Verrrry Sleepy!!
This One Got Lucky
This One Got Lucky		 Owl at Dawn
Owl at Dawn		 Awake and Alert
Awake and Alert		 Grumpy 'Ol Owl
Grumpy 'Ol Owl
Party Crasher
Party Crasher

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arminb14-Mar-2006 10:19
WOW, fantastic shots, I only have some portrais of owls, but this here is just stunning! Cheers, Armin
Guest 09-Mar-2006 07:15
Stunning compilation.
Howard Sandler03-Apr-2005 04:32
Super owl gallery!
Mary Anne01-Apr-2005 17:04
Guy, thank you for sharing these wonderful shots with us. I'm forwarding the link for this gallery to the Audubon wildlife sanctuary where I volunteer. I'm sure the birders there will love it!

Mary Anne
Genist 01-Apr-2005 16:43
Great subject and photo-phrasing. Very sleepy even made me laugh. Good body of work, waiting for more.
Guest 01-Apr-2005 11:19
Wonderful gallery. Thanks for sharing.
Guest 01-Apr-2005 02:57
Guy,

This gallery is excellent. And to think it was only a couple hours away. Nicely done!

Jim
Fabienne31-Mar-2005 22:43
Une superbe galerie aux photos exceptionnelles et de grande qualité, bravo, c'est magnifique.
henrywong31-Mar-2005 21:42
beautiful gallery! Thanks for sharing!!
Guest 30-Mar-2005 04:37
These are spectacular!
golfpic30-Mar-2005 01:18
Lovely shots. They're also still up here in eastern Ontario, Canada but not sure for how much longer. It really may be a once in a lifetime opportunity to see these great owls.
Guest 29-Mar-2005 20:10
Well done
gang29-Mar-2005 13:23
Beautiful gallery,
Derek Slater28-Mar-2005 18:27
I was just about to post some bird pictures that I had taken this afternoon on the "lets see some birds" forum when I saw the shot of the owl, It stopped me right in my tracks!! :-)
Great pictures, well done sir !
Guest 28-Mar-2005 18:18
great gallery, swooping in is my favorite from the bunch.
Gayle P. Clement28-Mar-2005 16:21
Wonderful gallery!
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