For all those times I have watched Great Gray Owls hunt in sub-zero weather in January with three feet of snow on the ground, this morning at sunrise in Sax-Zim Bog was a unique and beautiful experience. This Great Gray Owl was out hunting after sunrise. The lower light than normal was the result of two conditions:

• Smoke from the Greenwood Lake Forest Fire (Over 3,000 acres / 50 miles distant)
• Ground Fog (a common August occurrence)

It is always a privilege to watch a Great Gray Owl hunt. This morning it was also artistic from a photographer’s viewpoint.

Great Gray Owl in Ground Fog … Early Morning Meadow

Great Gray Owl with Forest Fire Smoke Sunrise (very difficult photographs from a technical vantage point … it is difficult to take photos directly into the sun, and still get other items in the image to display)

Great Gray Owl … no fog and not into the sun!

I also took a short video of the owl preening. Notice how wet the bird is! (video link for email subscribers).