I received the Canon 400 f/4 DO IS II lens to test out, and since it’s February in Alberta, there isn’t much for options to test the lens. I decided to take the lens to a park in Calgary and figured I would at least be able to test it out on Squirrels and Chickadees. Instead I was both pleased and surprised to find a Barred Owl.
Barred Owls stand out from the other “larger” owls that we have in Alberta (like the Great Gray Owl, or Great Horned Owl) because as opposed to the piercing yellow eyes, it has dark brown, almost black, eyes. These owls really do blend in well with their surroundings, and I almost didn’t see this one while it perched in the tree on this grey morning. It’s almost time for the Barred Owls to start mating, with the mating season lasting from February to August, so maybe next time I see one it will be with a mate.

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Taken: February 12, 2017
Location: Calgary, Alberta

Camera: Canon EOS 1D X Mark II
Lens: Canon EF 400mm f/4 DO IS II USM + 2.0x III extender
Focal Length: 800mm
Aperture: f/8
ISO: 2500
Exposure: 1/1000