Outdoor Ontario

Discussion => Behaviour => Topic started by: Dinusaur on April 15, 2018, 05:20:00 PM

Title: Snowy Owl Ejecting a Pellet
Post by: Dinusaur on April 15, 2018, 05:20:00 PM

On my way back from work I stopped by the airport where Snowy Owl sighting was reported earlier and saw one sitting on a fence not too far from a very busy road. After a while it started ejecting pellet - I managed to capture the entire sequence of the event. Below are five consecutive shots of the sequence. Apparently the owls eject pellet twice a day and usually 20hours after eating. So it was a pleasant surprise to capture the action, may be not so for viewing.

(https://farm1.staticflickr.com/810/40588023075_9302a37171_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/24QCeci)
(https://farm1.staticflickr.com/899/27609385238_0900a9c169_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/J4Kjkq)
(https://farm1.staticflickr.com/888/27609344028_3c589e79fe_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/J4K75U)
(https://farm1.staticflickr.com/791/41438663862_b828217fef_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/268MZ4L)
(https://farm1.staticflickr.com/867/40760983384_6dec0b59da_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/256UGgA)

Title: Re: Snowy Owl Ejecting a Pellet
Post by: Paul O'Toole on April 15, 2018, 06:48:03 PM

Well done and greatly shot. I have seen this several times this winter but was never able to capture it. You nailed it, great job.

Title: Re: Snowy Owl Ejecting a Pellet
Post by: Walter Fisher on April 16, 2018, 09:07:23 PM

Excellent sequence Dinu!

Walter :)

Title: Re: Snowy Owl Ejecting a Pellet
Post by: Ally on April 16, 2018, 11:11:48 PM

Such great sightings and photos. I can see his tongue, so amazing!

Title: Re: Snowy Owl Ejecting a Pellet
Post by: Shortsighted on April 17, 2018, 09:20:48 AM

A candidly captured  sequence for sure, and shot at just the right height and at the best possible angle to
appreciate the details of this requisite elimination. I imagine the whole process only took seconds
( I mean the owl's business not your photographic protocols ).

Showing us, once again your well-honed knack for extemporaneous delight. You've previously recorded seldom-seen action
in the natural world with the success of a Action Movie director. Here too an excellent exposure, compliments to
your lighting crew. A white subject must be treated carefully - they can be so overblown. Was that the first take?

As an aside, I must admit to watching a Lesser Yellowlegs regurgitate a pellet last year but its bolus was notably slimy
and it was expelled with difficulty, not with such an owl-like melodramatic drop in the bucket.
Did you see evidence of other boluses in the vicinity?
Does an owl revisit the same perch to practice its weight-loss regime?

(https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-hjddN69/0/b225a645/L/i-hjddN69-L.jpg) (https://www.smugmug.com/gallery/n-358cgw/i-hjddN69/A)

Title: Re: Snowy Owl Ejecting a Pellet
Post by: mc on April 17, 2018, 06:52:03 PM

Fantastic series Dinu!

Title: Re: Snowy Owl Ejecting a Pellet
Post by: Dinusaur on April 17, 2018, 07:51:59 PM

Quote from: "Shortsighted"

.....Was that the first take?

You bet, it had to be perfect the first time otherwise one has to wait 12 hours for the second take

Quote

As an aside, I must admit to watching a Lesser Yellowlegs regurgitate a pellet last year but its bolus was notably slimy
and it was expelled with difficulty, not with such an owl-like melodramatic drop in the bucket.

Wow, this is something. Up until last year I thought this is what the raptors do. Then I photographed (see below) a Kingfisher doing it and now a Shorebird. Wonder if a bird like Blue Jay does the same; after all they do eat meat from time to time.
(https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4298/35172222954_05d25d7a77_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/VA3Qv9)