Little Owl

[Simon Wantling]

This is part of my Little Owl project and this bird is proving tricky to capture. To get this image I set up a small throw over hide in the dark and waited for first light. The owl appeared but didn't come out of the tree and I had to use the 2X converter to anything reasonably close.

Although it shows the bird in its environment, I'd really like to know what people on here would do if anything with the branches. I always strive for clean backgrounds but not possible on this image. 5D MKiii, 500mm + 2X, ISO1250, 1/800, F8

[Alan Murphy]

Nice comp with the twisty branches. I would use the adjustment brush to open the shadows in the birds face.

[Simon Wantling]

Thanks Alan - I'll do that.

[keith mitchell]

Simon clean BG have there place but this bird in it's environment looks right to me, think I might sharpen the bird just a tad and Alan's suggestion sounds good, think your effort as paid off I would be pleased with this.
Keith.