You got this close?! And in enough light?! The head cock is the sensors in his off-center ears sizing you up. Wonderful encounter you've had, glad you posted.
But words are things, and a small drop of ink, falling, like dew, upon a thought produces that which makes thousands, perhaps millions think and smile.
Art is everywhere, except it has to pass through a creative mind.
Thank you all very much for such kind comments. I thought he'd make a good desktop wallpaper but now find I don't like the way he looks at me all the time....
These owls are rare. living in the tundra. This fellow must be a captive or in rehab. I have only ever seen one in the wild during a year when the usual prey species were low in number during a rough winter. These owls can stare you down when they fly at you at eye level. Freaky! Great image and a way for me to remember my encounter with a Great Grey. Thanks for posting this image!
"In times of rapid change, the learners will inherit the Earth, while the knowers find themselves to be beautifully equipped to deal with a world that no longer exists." Eric Hoffer
Once again my thanks to you all :-) As Jan says, this is a captive owl, one of a pair of Great Grey owls kept at Paradise Park in Cornwall, UK. I've photographed owls in the wild, but never from this close, and never with results like this....
Someone said that the eyes look almost human - owl's eyes are, in fact, the size of an adult human's.
I love owls and this is definitely a beautiful capture.
I hold it true that thoughts are things; They're endowed with bodies, breath and wings:
And that we send them forth to fill the world with good results, or ill.
That which we call our secret thought speeds forth to earth's remotest spot, leaving it's blessings or it's woes like tracks behind it as it goes.
We build our future, thought by thought for good or for ill, yet know it not.
Yet so the universe was wrought .
Thought is another name for fate.
Choose then thy destiny and wait, for Love brings Love and Hate brings Hate. - Henry Van Dyke.
Wow, A fantastic shot. I love owls. You have got this spot on . They way he hangs his head to the right looks like hes posing. Stunning shot. Thanks for sharing this.
Gorgeous. That bird looks at me every day. It's a bit of a world-weary / wiser-than-thou look really, don't you think? It's perfectly positioned, I can put all my icons on the left. :-)
What a beautiful bird-he looks like he was painted. Super clarity and detail. Love his bottom wispy feathers. His coloration is fantastic-feathers have a pale purple touch. Wonderful sharp eyes. Nice log & textures. The trees make a perfect background for this majestic beauty. Wonderful shot..thanks!
Great capture shot, very crisp and clear.