Theme: Snowy owl...in snow!

[Jake Levin]

You can all but reach out and pet this female snowy owl (who the locals have named Luna). Only post-processing was a levels and brightness tweak, a small re-position to get her in the right spot, and a dodge on the yellow eye.

Canon 7d mkII, Sigma 150-600, 1/2000 @ f/7.1, ISO 800

[Marina Scarr]

Love the low angle here and color palette.

[Jake Levin]

Question I forgot to ask: is this picture leveled correctly, or is it still off on an angle?

[Alex Becker]

I really like the low angle and the colors are great. It feels as though theres a bit of a haze on the image -- especially the eye which I'm used to seeing brighter and more yellow. However, I haven't had the pleasure of seeing one of these birds in person so I may be off base.

[Michael Thompson]

Very nice how you were able to get nice and close, i have seen a few this year, but always way out in a field, or up on top power poles. I like the enviornment with the blowing snow, maybe I would like a little more contrast between the owl and the sky, but not sure...

[Jake Levin]

There was a lot of blowing snow that day. That's the haze you're seeing. The eye color seems to depend on the light that's hitting it...the brightest yellows show up in dimmer light.

[arash_hazeghi]

like the mood Jake but wish the snowy was looking at you with both of those beautiful eyes wide open. might sharpen him a bit more

TFS

[Jake Levin]

Thanks Arash. I agree, if she were looking at the camera head on it would be great, but because there was lots of wind and it was blowing all that snow right in her face, she never did turn her head towards me. The best I got was that side-eye, with the occasional correct head angle and squinted eyes to keep out the snow!

[William Dickson]

I love how the bird fits with the BG and FG. Great colours and agree with Arash about sharpening.

Well done

Will

[Jake Levin]

I took this one of her as well, along with lots more. First time I've tried the NIK Sharpener Pro filters for anything other than printing.

[Frank Schauf]

Beautiful portrait, great pose.

[Geoff Newhouse]

Beautiful shot. I think it is properly levelled. I like the head angle as the eye is still looking directly at you and it gives the impression of the owl checking you out using its super mobile neck.

Are people baiting this owl to make it so tolerant of humans or is it just a very tolerant individual?

TFS
Geoff

[John Mack]

Love the white really makes it say it's cold.