Tawny Frogmouth

[John Cooper]

This was by first experience at photographing a bird-of-the-night. Like an owl, they spend the day sleeping and then take to the air at sunset to hunt. This nesting frogmouth was about 22 feet up in an eucalyptus tree, so climbing the tower with the aid of a small torch was a challenge. :). During this partiular night it began to rain bringing one of the parents back to the nest offering some shelter to the chick. There were 2 chicks originally but one was blown out of the nest during a violent storm :(

Canon EOS 3, Canon 100-400mm lens, 100 iso film, Flash x2 placed on either side of hide, F11, Tripod, Night, hide atop of tower.
Nikon scan @ 4000 DPI.

[Rene Quenneville]

This is a strange looking pair! Exposure is well balanced for a night shot. good job!

[Sid Garige]

If parent made an eye contact this image would have been wonderful.

[John Cooper]

This is a strange looking pair! Exposure is well balanced for a night shot. good job!

This is the hide set up on the Tawny Frogmouth.

[George DeCamp]

A very impressive image and the hide is impressive as well. Never saw or heard of one of these birds and what you seemed to have gone thru to get this image is unreal....thanks for posting this and for the insight on what you did to get it as well!

[Grace Scalzo]

An impressive effort lead to this wonderful image. Thanks for sharing the beautiful photograph.

[Axel Hildebrandt]

Impressive how much effort you put into photographing these birds. I'm sure I haven't seen images of this species before. Thanks for sharing.

[Fabs Forns]

Incredible birds!!! Never seen before either.
It looks a bit over-sharpened for my taste.

Thank you for letting us admire them!

[Stephen Stephen]

Nice image John. I've seen these birds posted elsewhere before by some of you fellow Aussies. It was incredible to me how nearly invisible they appeared during the day as they perched along a tree branch.

[Christopher C.M. Cooke]

Great photo John and doubly so for the effort made to obtain it.

I would need a few Valium to get up in that hide, is it your creation?

[John Cooper]

Great photo John and doubly so for the effort made to obtain it.

I would need a few Valium to get up in that hide, is it your creation?

The design of this tower was made by one of your fellow Victorians - Rob Watkins of Bendigo. He would be worth contacting if you are interested in nature photography. He conducts excursions into the Alpine regions of Victoria.

[Christopher C.M. Cooke]

The design of this tower was made by one of your fellow Victorians - Rob Watkins of Bendigo. He would be worth contacting if you are interested in nature photography. He conducts excursions into the Alpine regions of Victoria.

Thanks John but if it involves walking no can do. A motorcycle accident in 2001 has severely curtailed my mobility and basically if it requires more than a few hundred meters I can't manage it.

Pity, I have cross country skied over most of the Snowys in years past and I do miss them, however I am lucky to be alive and for that I am grateful.

[Tony Whitehead]

This is a great image John. I am always amazed by these birds and how well they blend in. Magnificent effort to get this image. Love those eyes.