[Paul Hackett]

I travelled up to the Outer Hebrides over the Bank holiday to see if i could get some pictures of the Immature Male Snowy Owl that has been present there for two weeks. It had been feeding on rabbits during its stay the local birders informed me, after they had checked the contents of the pellets

I arrived at Lochmaddy on friday morning having drove overnight from Stockport to Uig on the Isle of Skye ( 8 hours driving !) and then sailed from Uig to Lochmaddy in just under two hours I drove straight to the site at the north end of North Uist and found the car park and picnic site easily, having looked for the bird on the tidal rocks for 40 minutes i could not see any sighting of it, i then decided to walk forward around the tidal rocks and i picked up the bird sat in some rocks just showing from the neck up, i stayed for three hours but the bird did not move in all that time but i had to, the tide was coming in !

I returned the next day and the bird was viewable but in the same rocks with just its head showing ! i then took around 40 mins to approach the bird very slowly and calmly, the sun was very bright and i was starting to feel the heat, eventually i had gained a very close view of the bird and waited, it was not interested in me but watched with interest the light aircraft that had been circling the island, an hour passed by and i was staring to get stiff bones when suddenly without warning the bird jumped up onto the rock in full view !

I was now looking directly at a wild bird at 25 yards range who was not the slightest bit interested in me ! i started to shake and began to take pictures, then i would use the camcorder then back to the camera. After 10 mins i realised that i had not set the under exposure setting on the camera ! ( white bird, sunny day, light background) so i set the exposure to -7 and started again using the 20X Leica lens and for the portrait shots the 10X eagleeye lens, all in all i took over 130 shots,

The bird at times stared directly at me and it is very hard to describe that one on one feeling you qet when faced with this situation, its very intense especially with those eyes and the distance i was from the bird, its some thing i will never forget, and was truly a memorable day

I have attached a picture to give you some idea

Leica APO, Nikon Coolpix 4500, Eagleeye 10X lens

[Paul Hackett]

This pic was taken with a 20XWA leica Lens

[Charles Harper]

Great story, great photo, Paul. Congratulations on a successful adventure!

[Larry Lade]

Once in awhile we have a very special moment which stays with us for a life time. You posted a great shot!

Larry

[Andrew]

Amazing! I wish I had that experience myself!

[wowbagger]

fantastic pictures! the bird appears to be so clean.

[Tammie]

One of my most favorite birds of all time. I've only ever seen 3 and never up close. You're so lucky!!

[Grousemore]

Great story and pictures,what a sense of satisfaction that must have given you after such a long journey.

[alan_rymer]

WOW

[John N]

Great story and fantastic photo's. Well done.

[pattianne]

Amazing shots of a beautiful bird. I've never been blessed with sighting one.. I don't blame you for being so excited!