SURNIA ULULANorthern Hawk Owl Photography
Northern Hawk Owls are one of the more unusual owl species I’ve had the opportunity to photograph, with all of my encounters taking place in Canada. With their long tail, relatively small head and upright posture, they have a distinctly hawk-like appearance which gives the species its name.
Unlike many owls, Northern Hawk Owls are active during daylight and will often hunt from prominent perches, scanning the surrounding landscape before dropping down onto prey. Their habit of sitting high in exposed trees can make them surprisingly conspicuous, particularly against the Canadian winter landscape.
Although this can make them easier to spot than some of the more secretive owl species, getting good photographs still requires patience and careful observation. Spending time watching how an individual uses its preferred hunting perches allows opportunities to develop naturally without influencing its behaviour.
The gallery below brings together some of my favourite Northern Hawk Owl images from Canada, all photographed ethically and without baiting.
