LeGuilloux
FollowGreat Grey Owl in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains - this big guy had a wingspan of more than 48". There were two in the area which explains why it was...
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Great Grey Owl in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains - this big guy had a wingspan of more than 48". There were two in the area which explains why it was focused on a nearby tree.
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Awards
Contest Finalist in Beautiful Owls Photo Contest
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Amateur Winner Show Snowflakes Photo Contest
Contest Finalist in Show Snowflakes Photo Contest
Staff Winter Selection 2015
Peer Award
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Absolute Masterpiece
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Magnificent Capture
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Behind The Lens
Location
Watching. First Snowfall. This photo of a Great Grey Owl was taken in the Canadian foothills of the Rocky Mountains, about 50 miles northwest of Sundre, Alberta. I had an opportunity to travel the back country wilderness with a hunter who was familiar with the area.Time
My first photo of a Great Grey Owl in the wild was taken at 4:43pm on Nov 13, 2015. It was overcast and cold and had just started to snow very heavily. We were settling into a blind for the end of the day and I went to take relieve myself; walking about a hundred feet into the trees. A very large, very silent shape flew over me into a clearing ahead and I didn't have my camera! I rushed back to grab some gear and when I returned the owl was still perched on a large dead tree. I was surprised that it stayed still – and very focused on the trees above and to my left as I moved in and shot continuously.Lighting
The light was very low due to cloudy, overcast conditions. I didn't have a flash or tripod so was adjusting for a variety of exposures and that's what gave some nice motion to the snowflakes. I loved the way the first snowflakes landed on the bird and tree to enhance the blended camouflage effect.Equipment
I was using a borrowed Canon 5DS R and a rented long lens for testing. I also had a tripod and remote release however in my rush to get back to the owl's location that was left in the blind. Camera: Canon EOS 5DS R Lens: Canon EF 100-400mm f4.5-5.6L IS II USM Aperture: f/5.6; ISO: 500; Shutter Speed: 1/50; Focal Length: 400mmInspiration
I have always been inspired by this quote: “In every walk with nature one receives far more than he seeks.” - John Muir. I went on this day trip to challenge myself and expected to get wild Whitetail/Mule deer shots – maybe coyotes or moose if lucky. Photographed only two deer in 10 hours but instead I found a rare, beautiful bird in a wilderness setting with snow fall - timed perfectly. So often I have found this to be the case – having a camera ready for the unexpected will provide more than you seek. You need to just get out there for the opportunity.Editing
Shot in RAW and processed with minor sharpening/color adjustments and cropping in Adobe Lightroom.In my camera bag
The equipment I have in my bag is more economical gear than what I had borrowed and rented for this trip. I love my Canon 70D and have since purchased an older model of the Canon 100-400mm lens on Kijiji for $900. I always carry a Canon 50mm prime and a Sigma wide angle 10-20mm for the landscape opportunities. I have used an aluminum tripod and monopod but have actually missed shots trying to setup on the move so I frequently leave that out for wildlife unless I am in a blind.Feedback
Be prepared for the unexpected. It doesn't always go as planned. From the moment you start on a trail, have the camera on, lens cap off and telephoto adjusted for distance. Take a moment to stop and listen – and be ready for that special shot.