May 5, 2017

Dinner Time!

Dinner Time
RAT!  It's what's for dinner!
This photo was taken just moments after this barred owl pounced on a rat climbing on that very tree branch.  I couldn't believe it!  I always imagined owls swooping down and snatching a rodent or rabbit from the ground and carrying it away in its talons.  But, this guy landed on this branch...sat there for a minute...swiveled his head once...and then...WHAM!  Dinner's ready!  Very exciting for this wildlife photographer! I wonder if the owl heard the rat scurrying on the bark from a short distance away and then landed here in preparation for the hunt. Sure makes me glad I'm not a rat.  Or an owl having to hunt my dinner.  

11 comments:

Lorraine said...

That's incredible that you not only saw it happen, but you captured it so perfectly on camera. Wow! You are awesome!!

Andy said...

Wow! You were in the right place at the right.

Ernie said...

So impressive! I hunted and hunted and hunted last night after the rain and finally saw one far away in the dark. Can't win every night I guess.

Lowell said...

Wow! You were indeed in the right place at the right time and most importantly were camera-ready! Super shot!

William Kendall said...

Their hearing is exceptional. Various owl species, they're all incredibly well evolved for what they do.

PerthDailyPhoto said...

Good heavens! That was a wee bit too easy for the owl, dinner delivered 😊 super shot last post too SRQ, my husband was incredibly envious, he's been trying to spot an owl for ages 😀

Kate said...

Don't you love it when something this incredible happens before your very eyes?!

Bill said...

Dinner served for this incredible owl and photo captured by this incredible photographer. Nice shot and you were prepared and ready for action.

Lois said...

What a fantastic shot! One of my friends was out walking her small dog one evening and an owl swooped down and went after her dog. Fortunately she was able to scare it away, but it was very scary!

Michelle said...

They are quiet, but deadly!!

Kay said...

That's one incredible shot! It's thrilling enough to see an owl perched during the day but this is icing on the cake...and then some! Lucky you! (Note that there is great envy in these comments.)