Re: Had to share these two!!!!

The Miniature Northern Saw-whet Owl   Photograph by JASON IDZERDA

Photographer Jari Peltomaki’s

I saw these two sent in an e-mail do you agree with me that they are truly amazing photo's (they are NOT my photo's)

Regards Mick

Those are just exceptional.

They are stunning Mick - Oh how I wish I could take pics like that! Very talented (green with envy), lol !

Thanks for sharing- Jayne

Wow wow and double wow....

I am really pleased I am not the small furry animal on the receiving end of that second photo. Fabulous photos.

Caroline in Jersey

Absolutely wonderful shots! Stunning!

Germain

I am really pleased I am not the small furry animal on the receiving end of that second photo. Fabulous photos.

The good thing, Caroline, is that the "small furry animal" probably will have no idea what's about to happen and will die in half a second. Judging from the snow on the ground the Great Grey will be locating its prey using its incredible hearing. It will most likely be a lemming or vole and will be running around under up to 18 inches of snow but still quite audible, if invisible,  to the owl.

However, I have to say, that judging from the fact that the bird's focus is so totally on the camera lens, I would say this shot was set up with a microphone immediately behind the lens of a remotely controlled shutter. Still needs a lot of skill but not quite the "wild action shot" some of you guys are so good at! I for one prefer looking at the photos on this site!

Jenni

Edit. Sorry folks, where I said "microphone", I should, of course, have said "speaker" - playing the sound of a lemming etc. scuttling around.

really amazing Mick

 Ray

Hi Jenni,  i always wondered how they got those amasing shots.  I always thought they were real lucky!  Now I know better although still pretty beautiful.  I wonder how many hours was spent setting up that shot!

Yes  Lolly and I wonder how many shots didn't work!!

I also wouldn't like to bet that it is a genuinely wild bird. There is a slight defect in the feathering on the right leg that could indicate the presence of a jess or maybe the habitual wearing of one.

However, I really do admire the skill of the guys who get shots like this. It is so beautiful I would like it framed on my wall! The knowledge and patience behind wildlife photography on this level is breathtaking. You need to know so much about the creature's habits in general and observe minutely the details of an idividual's behaviour in order to get it so perfect.

Jenni

There is more of Jari Peltomaki's work here: http://www.birdphoto.fi/ (he's one of the four photographers who make up the birdphoto.fi team). There are mindbendingly good images of most northern European species. All the birds they photograph are wild. This page from the Finnature website explains some of the techniques involved for the hunting owl shots (though for Hawk Owl rather than Great Grey in this example): www.finnature.fi/how_to_photograph_a_hunting_hawk_owl_.html

Hi Aiki, thank you for the links to the 2 sites.  Both make exceptional reading and I will read them more this evening.

Hi Jenni, like you I do admire their skills.  Amazing photography.

Superb. Oh to be able to see these live, a photographers dream.

Just beautiful - the eyes on the first one are stunning.

aiki

There is more of Jari Peltomaki's work here: http://www.birdphoto.fi/ (he's one of the four photographers who make up the birdphoto.fi team). There are mindbendingly good images of most northern European species. All the birds they photograph are wild. This page from the Finnature website explains some of the techniques involved for the hunting owl shots (though for Hawk Owl rather than Great Grey in this example): www.finnature.fi/how_to_photograph_a_hunting_hawk_owl_.html

A totally amazing resource. A sort of encyclopedia of birds!