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Astrophotography Birding

Owls and the Comet

I went owling a few nights ago. I didn’t expect to get much but I did get what I expected, Western Screech-Owls and Great Horned Owls. I only heard the Great Horned Owls but I played some screech-owl calls and had a pair come in close. The weather has been just about perfect lately. Of course now it is the full moon time and I haven’t been doing any astro. Back when it was still dark enough, I imaged comet ZTF (C/2022 E3) again, this time with the 500 f4, giving a much wider field of view.

Comet ZTF (C/2022 E3) as it appeared awhile back. I imaged this around midnight, giving it enough time rise higher in the sky. I could easily see it in binoculars when the sky was dark but now with the bright moon it would be hard to see. A few more days and it would be worth looking for it again.
Lately there has been an invasion of Sage Thrasher. One morning I stepped outside the camper, and I saw one, so I got my camera and bird songs, it didn’t take long before I had three Sage Thrashers right here at camp. I saw two more yesterday.
I had two Western Screech-Owls calling and got photos of both. Their plumages are different enough to recognize that they are different birds.
It has been a long time since I’ve photographed Western Screech-Owls. It is fun getting out there at night and finding the nocturnal birds.

One reply on “Owls and the Comet”

I love the owl pics! Sounds like sage thrashers are doing well. I suppose the rainy winter has produced abundant insects for them.

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