Great Horned Owl adult feeding fledgling on Honeymoon Island State Park, Pinellas County, FloridaGreat Horned Owl adult feeding fledgling – Nikon D200, handheld, f6.3, 1/160, ISO 200, Nikkor 80-400mm VR at 400mm, natural light, not baited

What can I say about this image of an adult Great Horned Owl feeding its young that is strongly back lit by the setting sun on Honeymoon Island State Park in Florida? Sometimes I like it and sometimes I don’t.

I could not get a better angle than I had because if I had the sun at my back I would have only gotten an image of the owl’s backs which wouldn’t have been that interesting at all. But I do like the intimacy of this image with the interaction between the adult and the fledgling a lot. I wish that both owl’s would have had their eyes open but with them closed it shows that they were relaxed in my presence which is something I strive for when photographing birds and animals.

So one day I will look at it and appreciate the intimacy, the tenderness it seems the adult has for the young owl and the setting and on another day I bemoan the fact that I didn’t have a better angle of light and that the bird’s eyes weren’t open.

I might never figure it out. 🙂

Life is good.

Mia

Click here to view more of my Great Horned Owl photos plus facts and information about this species.