Bunny Feet

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Bunny Feet

This image was taken during a GGO territorial dispute which are very difficult to photograph b/c they happen so fast and these owls are so stealthy. This owl was not baited for this image, but I was told that territorial disputes often arise when there are several of these owls in the same location. These are arctic owls are have been driven south this winter due to a lack of food. In this particular location, there are 4 GGO's.

The wings were clipped and the angle was quite high in the original capture, so I cropped a bit tighter for this comp. What is most amazing to me is the small size of these raptors' feet and talons. A friend of mine refers to them as "bunny feet" which is so apropos when you see them in this capture. It seems this is why the owls don't injure themselves during their brief but common skirmishes.

Canon 1D4, Canon 70-200L F4 IS @ 200mm
F7.1, 1/2500, ISO 640, manual mode
HH, approx 45% of FF

C & C welcomed and much appreciated.

Marina Scarr
Florida Master Naturalist
www.marinascarrphotography.com

Good call on the crop. Love the detail captured and the info along with the fine image is a plus.

Such a amazing and strong image,
Focused eye makes it special, i simply love the details on the face and the legs of the bird.
The bunny feet is such a apt name for this bird and you bring out exactly why those feet are like a bunny :)
A non baited image makes it special, a difficult moment to capture indeed

First of all, I love the title, and describe the photo very well. Beautiful lighting and sharpness. I think it's nicely framed.

I also encountered the same situation, and it was a frame or two later after that image I just posted. The wings were clipped, so I cropped in a bit tighter similar to your photo. I think your shot is slightly better with both feet extended away from the tail. Ideally, I think it would have more impact if there's more eye contact toward the photographer.

amazing and strong image.Love the detail captured.

Hi Marina,
What I really like about this is the crop. Absolutely excellent.
I can feel the wind as he slips past me!
Excellent IQ and so nice to see some blue sky.
I like the fanned tail and those sweet little feet...that can kill!!
Gail

Hi Marina,

Makes me feel like I'm right up there with the owl. The detail is superb. Crop works well here. Wonderful shot!

Mark

I think you handled the crop very well. Great sharpness and light. Very nice!

I like the crop as presented. A different but very cool view. IQ looks great and thanks for the explanation. Liking the bunny feet!

I like your original crop on this. It brings so much emphasis to that massive head and glowing eyes. I also like the x patern it creates with all the lines and angles. The eye shows amazingly as well. I too am amazed at the small fgeet and talons. I am also impressed with the great detail you have here

Powerful image, Marina. Love everything about it!!! Great call on the cropping presented. It is a unique shot among all the great shots inclusive, shown here and elsewhere.

Excellent

Marina:

The legs and tail are great, the crop works with the head angle. In a perfect world, would prefer a bit more eye contact, but you made the most of it.

Beautifully exposed.

Cheers

Randy

I was beginning to wonder if you forgot to put flash cards in your cameras Marina! I think 'bunny feet' is a perfect description of GGO legs. The composition is very striking; I love the way the fanned tail feathers fill out the LLC and the strong diagonal created by the legs and body of the bird. Exposure and sharpness are perfect. A bit more eye contact would have been nice, but it works very well as presented.

I really like the comp and I can't get over how cool and unique the legs and feet are.
Excellent!

Lots to like here, Marina. The fanned tail, those legs and the bunny feet are so cool and the details are excellent. Your comp sets this image apart.
Direct eye contact would have taken it up another level. Superb image, as is.

Absolutely superb close up of GGO with great details and superb composition.

Regards,
Satish.

Wow!!!!
Killer image!!!
Excellent comp, superb feather detail, and really love the great view of it's talons.
Very well done.

Very nice Marina, lot of crisp detail to draw the viewer in.

This image has a sweet, child-like simplicity (Which doesn't imply that it was easy to create!). My eye travels throughout the frame loving the sharp, bright eye, fanned tail, and ends up lingering on the feet. Superb title. Love it, Marina.

The square crop works wonderfully, love those dangling legs! Details look great. Although looking quite huge they really are just a ball of feathers and are quite light and much more delicate than say Snowy Owls or Great Horned Owls. Having said this they probably have the most menacing and awesomest stare of any of the raptors!

Loved those long legs and the details looks great.. nicely done Marina..

Such an engaging image. I love the way the light is falling on those legs, you can almost imagine what it would feel like to touch them, the detail is so great. Bunny legs indeed. Great job on exposure and your comp.

Wonderful flight pose, Marina.

sweet marina!

Very nice image. I think it is interesting how small their talons are compared to other owls.