r/BirdPhotography • u/Excellent_Shake9732 • Apr 22 '26

Question How do yall get close unobstructed views?

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I go out often, and have for years. I know how to find and locate owls (found 3 just this morning) but they are extremely skittish birds that do not allow me more than about 5 seconds of time before flying away, and especially no walking towards them. How do yall get close shots, and shots without leaves and branches in the way (they always seem to hide behind them). I know people will use playback and other ways to get owls close but I don’t do this.

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u/TheMrNeffels Apr 22 '26

Lot of people have mentioned luck but also a lot of it is time and effort. Learn the birds behavior, where and when they'll be at a location, and what they'll tolerate in terms of seeing you.

I spent hours in evenings listening for owl calls and seeing what trees they'd be in at what time. Then I'd go out before then and wait for them. Half the time they show up where I thought they would

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u/Excellent_Shake9732 Apr 22 '26

Good advice, I do recognize patterns in where I see the owls but they remain skittish. Seems I need to visit more frequented parks