Boreal Owl

[Joseph Cala]

I photographed this Boreal Owl back in February at Sax-Zim Bog in Minnesota. This is a slight crop from the left and fairly minimal processing - bird was found along the roadside in some brambles and was not called, baited, etc.

Nikon D500, 600mm f/4, ISO 125, 1/1250. C&C appreciated!

178076

[Isaac Grant]

Love this shot Joseph. So glad you posted it. This is an extremely difficult bird to get out in the open. As we discussed we also had horrible luck with owls there in February. We chased a Boreal on the lake front that was flushed about 15 minutes before we got there. I would've been thrilled to see this bird and gotten a photo like this. You have perfect eye contact, perfect head angle and a beautiful background. I would increase the exposure a tiny bit, up the blacks in selective color a few more points and run a tiny bit more NR on the background. I would also add a couple points more on contrast. There is one area on the right side of the bird (the birds left side) that is too hot and it is just below the birds eye and on the chest. Try burning that area or cloning it out if you are OK with that sort of thing. I am not typically a fan of square crops. Might be worth an 8:10 and just see how it works and really give an intimate look at just the bird. Minor changes for an insanely nice shot of this bird.

[Arthur Morris]

Ditto most of what Isaac said. In a perfect world, the bird would have had its eyes open wider. The BKGR is neat the the o-o-f branches frame the bird quite well. Though I am usually not a fan or boxy crops the square crop works perfectly here.

Keep them coming and thanks for your membership support.

with love, artie

[Daniel Cadieux]

Ditto for all the positives above. I've been looking at it for a while, and the square crop is growing on me. You placed yourself well to get the BG branches in the right spots, well done.

[Bill Dix]

I'll also agree with all the positives above. Great bird to get a clear shot of, especially with eyes open and a nice bg and good exposure.

[John Mack]

Love the expression on this owl. Also like the square crop.