THE mouse never stood a chance.

Wings spread and talons outstretched, the magnificent bird flew off with its prey firmly clutched in its beak before tucking into the tasty meal.

media_camera A great grey owl with its catch. Picture: Picture Media



The shots were captured in February by photographer Tom Samuelson, 55, while shooting along the Lake Superior shoreline just south of Two Harbors in Minnesota, in the US.

media_camera A great grey owl with its catch. Picture: Picture Media



Tom, from Minnesota, said: "A friend and I continually monitor different websites for wildlife activity in the area and heard there were a good number of owls at the location so headed over.

media_camera A great grey owl with its catch. Picture: Picture Media



"Although owls are notoriously shy creatures it is possible to get up close and personal with them.

"Great greys are very tolerant of humans as long as you approach them in the right manner. I have had them within feet of me and they will sit there as long as you are quiet and don't move.

media_camera A great grey owl with its catch. Picture: Picture Media



"On this occasion our tip was right on the money as we didn't have to wait long to capture the amazing animal.

"I use a Canon 5D Mark II camera and had barely finished setting up before the owl homed in on the mouse within the blink of an eye.

media_camera A great grey owl with its catch. Picture: Picture Media



"It was an incredible yet quite terrifying moment to see how quickly and accurately the owls can catch prey like that - I didn't think the shots would come out so clean with it happening so fast.

"I love nature photography - it gets me out into the natural world. There is so much beauty out there."



Originally published as Great grey owl swoops in for the kill