Very interesting Mark. Its unbelievable the lengths photographers go to to get the perfect shot. Poor mouse. Wonder what people would think if the bait was a bird!
The corresponding story in the Daily Mail has an interesting shot of the same sequence taken from a completely different angle again with the mouse on the surface, what's the likelihood of him having 2 incredibly lucky natural opportunities of a mouse posing before being caught? It seems quite clear that the photographer has taken along a few live mice as bait.
I know that these Owls can detect and catch prey beneath the snow. I don't think there's much food above though. One things for sure, the mouse has no idea its about to get caught
I wonder what the chances are of getting shots like that?
Using live mice that have had their legs broken usually increases the odds This is an approach commonly used by north American (and European) snappers to get these shots. Do you think it's typical behaviour for a mouse to be on top of the snow as it's shown in those shots or has it been tossed their as bait?
This is an approach commonly used by north American (and European) snappers to get these shots. Do you think it's typical behaviour for a mouse to be on top of the snow as it's shown in those shots or has it been tossed their as bait? 