Avian Image of the Week for the week ending December 21st, 2012: Tim King - Northern Saw-whet Owl

[Daniel Cadieux]

Congratulations Tim!

In my experience, the best time to photograph these owls is during migration.
They will migrate all night and then find their favorite pit-stop at dawn.
They immediately start hunting to refill their tanks. The hunt usually lasts a few hours (depending on supply).
This owl in particular caught and ate 5 mice not 5 feet from my boots, then saved one for later.
They have a drop-down approach to hunting and was amazing to watch these silent speedsters.
It never fully folded its wing while on that perch. I also have a photo of it bringing up a pellet a few frames later.

50D | 300mm F4L IS | HH | available light
ISO 640, F4, 1/100
March 25 2010 8am (I arrived at 6am)

I always forget my tripod.

[Grace Scalzo]

Big congrats, Tim! Loved this one from the moment I saw it.

[Alison McCoy]

Congratulations! Amazing image.

[Marina Scarr]

Congratulations, Tim and a VERY find image indeed. Wish it were mine!

[Tim King]

Coooool !!

[Shawn Zierman]

I thought so....This really is one of THE best images I've ever seen of this species.
Congrats on the IOTW.

[Jerry van Dijk]

Awesome! Congratulations!

[Satish Ranadive]

Heartiest Congratulations!! Tim.Magnificent image.
Regards,
Satish.

[Doug Brown]

Fantastic frame Tim! I was hoping to see one in Ottawa, but never did. Congrats on IOTW!