Little owl

[Steve Kaluski]

Taken earlier this year, the wheat field below his nest proved to be an endless supply of earth worms, bugs & beetles with which to feed his ever demanding and growing family. Although hidden in a bag hide, the noise of the shutter caught his attention. With the slight breeze and slowish SS I feel this provides a better habitat shot and gives more interest. He is actually using a small rock I placed on the ground to land on.

Steve
Subject: Little owl in sprouting wheat field (Athene noctua)
Location: UK
Camera: Canon MKIII
Lens: 500f/4 - beanbag
Exposure: 1/125s at f/4 ISO400 0 stop compensation
Crop: Slight crop for presentation (original capture vertical)

[DanieBenade]

I just love owls and think this is great, like the pose.

[Phillip Tomkinson]

Hi Steve a nice image.

Phil.

[Mital Patel]

Brilliant image Steve.

loved the raised eyes and look through grass.

[Steve Kaluski]

Thanks Danie, yep great they are fun, the male is far more tolerant than his partner. :S3:

Phil, great to hear from you, how are things? Appreciate the comment.

cheers
Steve

[Chris Kotze]

Super detail, I love those peeping eyes trough the OOF grass

[Morkel Erasmus]

Gotta love that quirky look! Nice low angle and timing here Steve...

[dankearl]

Great angle and wild eyed expression.
Beautiful Owl.

[Steve Kaluski]

Thanks everyone, appreciate the feedback.

All the best.
Steve

[Phillip Tomkinson]

Thanks Danie, yep great they are fun, the male is far more tolerant than his partner. :S3:

Phil, great to hear from you, how are things? Appreciate the comment.

cheers
Steve

Hi Steve not so bad I am looking forward to some snow & ice, have been in the south of France for a few week, man was it hot most days it was up around 33c even the wildlife went to sleep from 2pm to 5pm ish.

Phil.

:S3:

[Steve Kaluski]

Hi Phil, well it was hot over the last two weeks, around 29, but within days as you will see, the Cairngorms got their first snow, albeit it light. :w3

Be good to see you posting and what you have been upto, as Yorkshire and up north are showing good stuff at present. Thought you might be heading off to Danny Green country for the Deer rut. :bg3:

Keep in touch.

All the best.
Steve

[Randy Stout]

Steve:

Classic wide eyed owl pose, looks alert and a bit concerned.

Shows his habitat well.

I might consider lowering the luminosity of the large blade of grass arcing across his body, and maybe a version with the color temp warmed a few degrees.

Maybe a slightly taller rock next time:bg3:

Cheers

Randy

[Steve Kaluski]

Good call Randy, will take a look. If I increase the temp I will need to go back to the RAW, would saturation help?

Larger rock, the way he has been behaving last week something to perch on was the least of my worries, he was more intent on playing hide & seek, four days and 22hrs later I found him for 20 minutes, then he stayed back in his nest. Wildlife, hey. :bg3:

cheers
Steve

[Ishmeet Sahni]

The expression is super....love those eyes.

[Austin Thomas]

That is a great angle Steve and a nice expression as well.

I know how many hours are needed with these guys.

Cheers

Austin