Keepers Of Wisdom: I Explore The Mystical Beauty Of Owls
Owls have fascinated us for the millennium. They frequently appear in our stories and myths back in the ancient Greek and Egyptian times. Many different cultures across various regions of the world have bestowed symbolic meaning upon owls, seeing them as keepers of wisdom, protectors of the dead, and guardians of the underworld.
My first encounter with owls was far less mystical and ethereal. I was visiting a wildlife sanctuary near my home in New Mexico in the middle of a summer day and I got to see a large number of the birds. As a visual artist, I was struck by the compelling beauty of their feather patterns and their huge colorful eyes.
I knew immediately that I wanted to work with them. After securing permission to do a photo shoot, I set up a studio on a site few weeks later and had individual birds brought in by their handlers. The primary shot I was seeking to capture was the frontal gaze, a direct stare into the camera. This is how I make a more powerful and intimate connection to another living being – I look them in the eyes.
Very quickly I realized this was going to be extremely difficult to achieve. Most can rotate their heads 270 degrees and each one preferred to look at the black background behind them rather than at me and my lights. It didn’t surprise me at all.
More info: bradwilson.com
Spectacled Owl
Western Screech Owl
Eastern Screech Owl
Barn Owl
Eurasian Eagle Owl
Burrowing Owl
Long Eared Owl
Northern Pygmy Owl
Flammulated Owl
Tawny Owl
Great Horned Owl
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These photos are really good...Owls are a fascinating creature....; )
can you tell who has the rights to that photo? I print a very small scale poetry tittle called owl in a coal mine and try to sell them on ther street and I wondered if I could get permission to use one of the photograph of those nice owls?
I love towels so I think they are beautiful. I love the black black background.
I'd love to communicate with the photographer to share my love for owls. I built and placed an owl house for an Eastern Screech.
That is amazing Photography !! These are specimen that are worth painting.
I think he did a fabulous photo shoot.The mighty owl is our family's Aumakua
Great pics, owls are some of the most interesting and intelligent birds. They scare the hell out of my miniature dachshund.....
These photos are really good...Owls are a fascinating creature....; )
can you tell who has the rights to that photo? I print a very small scale poetry tittle called owl in a coal mine and try to sell them on ther street and I wondered if I could get permission to use one of the photograph of those nice owls?
I love towels so I think they are beautiful. I love the black black background.
I'd love to communicate with the photographer to share my love for owls. I built and placed an owl house for an Eastern Screech.
That is amazing Photography !! These are specimen that are worth painting.
I think he did a fabulous photo shoot.The mighty owl is our family's Aumakua
Great pics, owls are some of the most interesting and intelligent birds. They scare the hell out of my miniature dachshund.....
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