Another Shorty in the Grass

[Steve Large]

Got really close yesterday. They are showing much less fear this year. Has me a bit concerned though as one has been killed by an eagle and another injured and sent to the recovery centre already and the season is still young ( November 30 / 2010).

Stats: Canon 50D, Canon 500mm with 1.4X, 1/60 sec at F/6.3, ISO 1000

Thanks for your comments.

Take care and good light,

Steve

[Steve Canuel]

Handsome bird with good eye contact. Might hit the BG with a touch of NR/blurring to smooth it out a bit.

[Juan Carlos Vindas]

Agree about the owl being handsome!

Love the stare and talons! BG is almos as the bird's plumage!

A few things I would do to improve the image if it was mine.

1- Would try to maintain a 3:2 ratio giving more room on right.
2- I would increase the color temperature and contrast
3- Would try to shoot this image from a lower position (if possible and is not going to scare the bird away!)

There seems to be some motion blur on the tail feathers, not much you can do there! All in all a wonderful image!

[Pieter de Waal]

Hi Steve,

Just love the detail you have captured in the face and in particular those penetrating eyes. Other points have been noted above. TFS.