Innocence
by Heather King
Title
Innocence
Artist
Heather King
Medium
Photograph - Photography
Description
*Featured in*
KINGDOM Animalia ~ 07/02/2017
Strangest Or Most Unique Animals ~ 07/22/2017
What Interrobang ~ 08/20/2017
Words Have Wings ~ 10/08/2017
9 week old Great Horned Owlet.
This is the eldest of 2 owlets I was lucky enough to watch/photograph last year.
Back story ~ This was the hardest I ever had to work for photographing an owl. The road was flooded and there was nowhere to park so I had to invest in some hip waders. From where I parked to where the owls were it was a 1 km water, sometimes through knee high water. I had to carry a bench, all of my gear, a pillow (spinal issues) and more. The nest was almost on an island of it's own, and that was about 40 steps through thigh high water (due to the flood).
This was about 2 days after s/he left the nest. I watched him/her in the tree grabbing at leaves and tiny branches with his talons and even eating the leaves. I was and still am in complete and utter awe. There was so much innocence in this young owlet, how it observed and explored it's surroundings. I am beyond eternally grateful that I got to witness such a beautiful and endearing part of nature. I got to watch them from 2 weeks old until they took their first steps, first fledge, first attempt at flying.
(I'm still going through this year's great horned owl family photos but I just had to share a few precious ones from last year)
Taken in a park in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Uploaded
June 23rd, 2017
Statistics
Viewed 961 Times - Last Visitor from Eureka, CA on 03/12/2024 at 9:09 PM
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Comments (20)
Janet Marie
Phew!! I am glad, my pleasure. I was a little nervous sending that comment on your reply. 🦋💕
Heather King replied:
oh my DEAR Janet, you never have to be nervous in telling or sending me any words ♥♥♥♥
Janet Marie
You are so welcome. I just Had to comment on your reply. First of all, pro photographers, as you referred to them, would NOT have even gotten an opportunity to capture this photo. Your abilities and sensibilities go beyond a pro. Here is quote from famed American photographer Edward Weston (1886-1958), to think about when you want to say something like that: "To consult the rules of composition before making a picture, is a little like consulting the law of gravity before going for a walk." So you just keep being Heather the Owl Whisperer. Hugs, Janet
Heather King replied:
That literally gave me GOOSEBUMPS dear sweet Janet, I absolutely LOVE that quote! Oh my gosh!!! Thank you so much for that!!!! I will always remain who I am, utterly and completely IN LOVE with owls, it's all too consuming, they make me laugh, they make me cry, they are the happiest moments of my life! Thank you dear Janet ♥ Hugs, Heather
Janet Marie
Well Heather dear, you have done it again. Another marvelous find and share, of your fabulous world of owls. What an awesome back story to this GREAT capture. I wanted to comment on this last night, but wanted to have an alert mind to do so. The expression you have captured on the owl's face is priceless! It is as though her eyes have locked eyes with yours. There she is in all her splendor, undisturbed by your presence. You should write a travel book about all your wonderful adventures with your owls. It would be a Bestseller. 💕and favorite Janet
Heather King replied:
Thank you so much dear sweet Janet for your wonderful words, I know many pro photographers probably wouldn't have posted this shot, there's a lot of leaves in the way, etc, but to me, this capture is solid gold :) ♥ I remember vividly watching him grasp at the tiniest branches with his talons, putting leaves in his mouth and even eating some of them. At several moments he would look right in my eyes, that is when my heart beat faster my hands shook a little big and I would say "oh my God, thank you" inside. The are so PRECIOUS as babies ,their innocence really makes my heart melt. Great idea about the book!!!! sending you love and hugs, Heather ♥
HH Photography of Florida
Your owls are so beautiful and wonderful creatures, Heather. I'm enjoying looking through your wildlife portfolio. Liked and faved many.
Joni Eskridge
Love this image, Heather. Just like a young child who is not quite ready to give up hiding behind his mother's legs. What a precious photo. The description of what you went through was quite a story in itself, but I know the feeling of getting that shot you were after, so I can understand the lengths you went to. A beautiful capture!
Heather King replied:
awe thanks so much dear Joni ♥ I haven't been around human babies, but watching this owl baby I said the same thing as you, s/he is exactly like a young child :) The innocence was so endearing I couldn't stop saying AWE♥ I wasn't expecting him to do this, but when he did my heart melted into goo. Thank you for your kind words.