Elf Owl

[Rick Bowers]

Elf Owl from a few nights ago. An annoying branch cloned out.
Tucson, Arizona, USA

50D
500 w/1.4
1/200th f11 iso 400
580EXII w/ BB
gitzo, wimberly

http://www.bowersphoto.com/images/Elf_Owl_0094.jpg

Rick Bowers

[John Chardine]

Nice to see this species Rick. Photo does not give an idea of tiny size of these birds- for an owl. I like the look-back and the eye contact. The background is not distracting. The bird has a bit of a "deer in the headlights" look about it and I wonder if balancing the flash more with the BG would reduce this effect. I know this is a very tough situation to make a natural-looking image. Also, I'd lose the fancy frame which is distracting, and the white shadow around the copyright notice.

[Axel Hildebrandt]

I like the stare and sharpness and would tone down the eyes a bit.

[Fabs Forns]

Yes, it does a bit over-flashed. Nice eye contact, perch and BG.

Big welcome to BPN, will be looking forward to more.

[Dan Brown]

Another nice shot Rick. It's hard to make a night shot not look over flashed and I think you have done pretty good with this one. A little less flash would have been nice but then again, this may have caused your BG to go darker.