Northern Hawk Owl - Eden, VT

[Bob Malbon]

From Saturday AM - got to the area where this rare N. Hawk Owl had been seen for several days at 7:30 AM to find two other birders already there. A balmy -12f to start but no wind - 1Dm3 worked perfect - I wish I could say the same for my fingers! 500 f4 on tripod - 1/640 at f8 - manual ex. - 50% crop - Bob

http://bob-malbon-photo.smugmug.com/photos/453319045_PuKZs-O.jpg

[Axel Hildebrandt]

Great find and eye contact. The bird needs some more sharpening and maybe a bit more space at the top. Could you have moved to your right to have the sun in the back and both eyes sunlit?

[Bob Malbon]

Axel, That was the only position for a clear view - hoping one of the other images is a bit sharper - got lots - NHO perched there for an hour! - Thanks, Bob

[Jeff Nadler]

Bob, such a good perch. I am hoping you got something a bit better with better detail / lighting. not sure if it is the lighting or just additional USM needed but the owl seems a bit soft to me. At least you got a tree perch versus a pole it was hanging out on.

[Bob Malbon]

Jeff, There are a few that look sharper - posted that quick last night - hoping to get time to work them up.
Did get one frame of the NHO hacking up a pellet - but from way off! Bob