Short eared owl doing a 180

[Anand Kavalapara]

http://lh4.ggpht.com/_jC7ujdJKVq4/SxVz5sVUCyI/AAAAAAAAIFQ/ShlBARRyReI/s800/IMG_7831-PS.jpg

Shot on a dull overcast day and hence the high iso.

Camera: Canon
Model: Canon EOS 40D
ISO: 1250
Exposure: 1/400 sec
Aperture: 4.5
Focal Length: 500mm Sigma f/4.5
Flash Used: No

C&C appreciated.

Thanks
Anand

[Ed Cordes]

Great stare and sup-er BG. On my monitor it looks like it could use a bit more sharpening.

[Axel Hildebrandt]

I like the eye contact and soft light and would crop some off the top to have a more uniform BG and the bird a bit higher in the frame.

[Kaustubh Deshpande]

Ditto what Axel said. Cropping from top will make it a lot lot better. loved the grasses a lot. Welcome to BPN.

[Anand Kavalapara]

Thanks Ed, Axel and Kaustubh for your comments.

the modified version:

http://lh3.ggpht.com/_jC7ujdJKVq4/SxWAAzzCcBI/AAAAAAAAIFw/qwOkHkZeKMo/s800/IMG_7831-PS.jpg

[Dave Leroy]

Lovely looking photo. Colours really look good together.
Dave

[Axel Hildebrandt]

The repost looks better, I might crop even a little bit more off the top.

[Kaustubh Deshpande]

Repost much more powerful. I can see why Axel is suggesting more crop. The corners are a bit distracting. A killer image Anand.

[Phil Ertel]

Hi Anand, I prefer the repost and agree with Axel that a little more off the top would be nice. The pose is nice an I love the eyes. Thanks for sharing.

[Jim Fenton]

I like the 2nd image with your crop.

Only thing I would change is that rather than cropping more from the top, it would be simple to clone into the upper LH corner.

Love the colors / soft light and it looks plenty sharp for me. Also like the movement in the grasses :)

[Nagesh Mula]

Its a beautiful pic Anand, I liked the reposted version very much and agree with Jim's comment here. Congrats!!

[Daniel Cadieux]

Nice repost with the much improved comp. I like the weathered perch, and the 180 head turn is neat :-) I love the overall gold/brown tones.

[Harshad Barve]

Repost works for me , If mine I may clone blue BG corner
TFS

[Kiran Poonacha]

The repost works well, nice setting and eye contact... congrats.

[Anand Kavalapara]

Thanks Phil, Jim, Nagesh, Daniel , Harshad & Kiran for your comments & suggestions.

[Betsie Storm]

Prefer the repost; great pose and complimentary colours.