My first time seeing a Great Grey Owl and it wasn't bothered by me, even flying within a few meters.

Recently a local Facebook group reported seeing a Great Grey Owl but weren't specific on location (understandable). So I did four trips over a week or so after seeing a few photos that gave me an idea of the rough location. I spent an hour walking on the fourth attempt and was about to leave when a dog walker came past me and asked "Did you get any shots of that big owl?" I said that's what I'm looking for and hadn't seen it yet. She explained she saw it around that area just yesterday. That was enough for me to do another loop. Another 30 minutes later and getting cold, I was leaving a voice note for my partner saying I had no luck again, that's when I saw a dot sitting atop a Beaver dam a few hundred metres away on the other side of a body of water. I took a photo and zoomed in on it. There it was!! Just that sighting was a buzz, but I wanted to get some photos if possible. I traversed my way around the water to the side it was sitting. As soon as I got there (about 10 minutes in the snow) it flew to exactly where I was back on the other side when I spotted it originally. "You did that on purpose" I thought and just had to laugh. I was still stoked, took a few long distance shots and started to head back around and towards the car. As I came back around it was now hunting, I got closer and closer along the path, fully expecting it to fly away again, it didn't. In fact it flew closer to me. This sequence was when it flew within a few metres of me (so close I couldn't zoom out quick enough hence all the clipped wings). Cold hands were forgotten, just enjoying being in the presence of such a beautiful animal was priceless to me.

Wildlife photography addiction confirmed.

I can also confirm they are completely silent when flying. Their legs also make me laugh 😂

Instagram @adam_captures for more as files are too large.