Northern Saw-whet Owl Up Close.

[Daniel Cadieux]

This is the same wild and free individual I posted last Fall, but here I went for a tighter composition to get some of that beautiful jacket-like overlapping feathers on the chest. I need to PS in a tie!:S3:

Canon 7D + 100-400L @285mm, manual exposure, evaluative metering, 1/100s., f/8, ISO 800 (setings histogram checked), flash @ -1.7 FEC, handheld, full-frame, flash catchlights removed via patch tool.

[Karl Egressy]

I remember your great pictures of this cutie. Amazing details excellent IQ.
You are one of the very few to have managed to capture one in the open.

[Doug Brown]

<embed id="application/x-exifeverywhere" type="application/x-exifeverywhere" width="0" height="0">Beautiful bird expertly captured. Although I understand that you were going for tight framing, I'd prefer things a little looser.

[gail bisson]

Hi Daniel,
I, personally, like tight close-ups like this. The IQ is evident in the wonderful softness of the feathers in the breast but incredibly sharp detail in the feathers around the eyes. Great uncluttered BG. No nits from me,
gail

[dankearl]

I like the close up also.
I enjoy the details on this beautiful bird.
i am sure you have wider shots and would like to see them also.

[Ofer Levy]

Sweet! I would also prefer a looser presentation.

[mikedewitt]

Beautiful image! I'd also prefer more room around the bird, but I understand and appreciate the intent.

[Jonathan Ashton]

Love the detail in the owl, I too would prefer a slightly smaller subject in the frame, the edge of the perch appears to have a cut edge to it, I would be tempted to disguise it a little.

[Art Kornienko]

I don't mind the crop at all and its a super shot, great exposure. I would have preferred a bit more head turn to the owls left to see both eyes but its very nice and I too might have been tempted to disguise the cut edge in the perch. Wish I had of been with you on this one.

[jack williamson]

I like this as presented. Large amount of detail, perfect flash exposure. A PS tie would be so cool.

Jack

[Grace Scalzo]

Looser for me too, but you knew that. :w3 Love the details and the sweet pose.

[Robert Holguin]

Excellent close up. I personally like the tight crop. Very nice detail and background.
Well done.

[Vivaldo Damilano]

Fantastic image, although the tight crop works nicely would have prefered more space at the bottom.

[Bill Dix]

Wonderful. I find it unfathomable that you were able to get so close to this tiny fellow in the wild. Shot is admittedly tight, but I love seeing the terrific fine feather detail. Nice use of flash.

[Gizzo Sparkes]

Spectacular Daniel. I like the tight crop. The detail in the feathers is amazing.

[Brendan Dozier]

Beautiful looking owl and excellent capture, Daniel! Love the pose, eyes, fine detail, and "jacket" look.

[Daniel Cadieux]

Thanks all!! Here's a looser crop I posted before...plus you will see the perch is not cut, simply some bark peeling off:S3:

http://www.birdphotographers.net/forums/showthread.php/95403-Northern-Saw-whet-Owl?p=773478#post773478

[Loong-Tat Wong]

Amazing details!!

[Troy Lim]

Love the details.

[arash_hazeghi]

excellent image Dan, I prefer the looser version!