I spotted a Northern Spotted Owl

I got up at 3am in the hopes of getting sunrise shots of Mt. Shuksan reflecting in Picture Lake. Due to rain and clouds, I couldn't even see the mountain, let alone any sun. After taking various pictures of the fall colors, I eventually started back down the mountain. I stopped at various points of interest along the way, including a road that I thought might have good photographic opportunities. As I was making my way back down that road, I saw an owl land on a branch in a tree!!

I stopped my car and grabbed my camera!

The owl flew to a branch a bit further away, so I took a quick pic with the lens I had on, and then quickly changed to my 100-400mm lens. The owl stayed long enough for me to take pics and video and then.......

....it flew to the branch right by my car!!! So close....just the owl and I.....and the rain. He/she seemed just as curious about me as I was about him/her. Again, the owl stayed long enough for more pics and video.

And then finally the owl flew away and I just sat there thinking how lucky I was that I had decided to drive that road.


These owls are a threatened species

___________________________

<sub>General Information:

Copyright © Paula Cobleigh. All rights reserved.

My images may not be used or reproduced without my written permission.</sub>