Two snowy's one knew I was there and one didn't

zombiesniper · Mar 9, 2018

This is a great pair of images to show what the difference is when you're subject is startled by your presence and one that isn't

Image one. Jr. and I though from a distance that this was just a trash bag blowing in the breeze due to the erratic movement.
Turned out to be a male snowy enjoying a snack. Unfortunately we noticed a little late and he sure noticed us. lol

Young Male Snowy by Trevor Baldwin, on Flickr

This next little girl I drove right past on a very narrow unmaintained road. I've shot her before (evil snowy) and know her temperament when she's perched is pretty good but didn't want to spook her since she's on the ground.

I noticed her just as I was driving by and she was on the passenger side of my truck. This allowed me to park a little down the road and get out unnoticed. I left the truck running (pretty loud diesel) in order to mask the sounds of my approach.

It took me 10 minutes to crawl along a ditch while trying not to slide down it and end up in the thigh deep water.
I eventually made it a reasonable distance to her. 30' or so without being noticed. I was wearing my winter camo coat and had pulled the hood over my head.
I slowly brought my head above the embankment and placed the camera on top scouting to see if she had spotted me. luckily she hadn't. This gave me time to adjust my focus point up and to the left and raise my exposure by 1/2 a stop.

I took one shot which caused her head to snap in my direction. I knew she couldn't make me out but I also knew she would see the large black hole of the end of my lens. Hoping this wouldn't bother her I remained still.

I took a few more shots and each time she tried to find the sound. Next I waited a minute until she had begun scanning for mice again and I slid back down the embankment and returned to my truck.

I looked back one more time from the truck and she didn't even notice I had been there.

Snowy by Trevor Baldwin, on Flickr

I think I may have earned my snow ninja badge.

pjaye · Mar 9, 2018

Gorgeous shots as always. Tried to find my resident Snowy today with no luck, might need one of those winter camo jackets. I'm pretty sure the bright pink coat I currently owns gives me away every time.