Picture shot towards a deep, cold shadow with owl flying into sharp, warm backlight
Nikon D5, 70-200 2,8 / 200 mm, f/5,6, 1/2500, ISO 900
It was late February in Kuusamo district, north eastern part of Finland close to Russian border. We followed one single Great Grey Owl (Lappugle) from early morning to late afternoon for 7 full days. There was an abundance of voles this year and the owl was picking up new prey with little effort. We had rain, new snow, soft light, hard light, deep cold (down to 23 below) and deep snow (1,2 m on flat ground) ! The bird was incredibly confident picking up wild voles only 2 m away from our feet. Some of the pictures have also been shot with backup mice from the deep freezer,
I have picked out 20 pictures. It could have been 20 others !
A warm thank you to Minna Lindroth & Markus Varesvuo.
Also thanks to Heikki Nikki, Jarmo Manninen, Olli Lamminsalo & Lassi Rautuainen.
Attack on a local vole
Nikon D5, 70-200 2,8 / 165 mm, f/4,5, 1/2000, ISO 4500
Nikon D5, 70-200 2,8 / 200 mm, f/3,5, 1/2000, ISO 2500
Nikon D5, 600 4,0, f/4,0, 1/2000, ISO 5600
Nikon D5, 600 4,0, f/5,0, 1/2000, ISO 5600
Nikon D5, 600 4,0 + 1,4 conv. = 850 mm, f/6,3, 1/6400, ISO 2000
A very cold day with 20 below
Nikon D5, 70-200 2,8 / 135 mm, f/7,1, 1/2500, ISO 4000
Like a silent missile through the cold air
Nikon D5, 70-200 2,8 / 200 mm, f/4,5, 1/2000, ISO 1100
Nikon D5, 70-200 2,8 / 200 mm, f/4,5, 1/2000, ISO 1250
Nikon D5, 70-200 2,8 / 175 mm, f/5,6, 1/2500, ISO 2200
Grabbing a mouse in the soft snow
Nikon D5, 70-200 2,8 / 190 mm, f/4,5, 1/2000, ISO 1100
A rainy afternoon
Nikon D5, 600 4,0, f/6,3, 1/800, ISO 3600
Late afternoon
Nikon D5, 600 4,0, f/6,3, 1/800, ISO 3600
Nikon D5, 70-200 2,8 / 70 mm, f/5,6, 1/2500, ISO 280
Nikon D5, 400 2,8, f/4,0, 1/2500, ISO 500
Golden morning light
Nikon D5, 70-200 2,8 / 160 mm, f/5,6, 1/2000, ISO 900
Nikon D5, 70-200 2,8 / 150 mm, f/4,5, 1/2000, ISO 1800
Nikon D5, 70-200 2,8 / 110 mm, f/4,5, 1/2000, ISO 2800
Nikon D5, 70-200 2,8 / 200 mm, f/5,6, 1/2000, ISO 3200
Nikon D5, 600 4,0, f/6,3, 1/800, ISO 5000
