Snowy Owl (3000 posts)

This shot was taken in 2008.
It is one of my favorites and posted to celebrate the 3000th post.
(I can easily fix the left eye but I left it as I found it.)

Thanks for looking.


Canon 40D
Canon 500 f4.0 L IS
ISO 320
f6.3
1/1250 s
Hand held

Hi Karl, congrats on your 3000th milestone. They add up quickly when you participate as you do, and thank you for your time sharing with others. How I wish I could see these guys in real life and get to capture a few images of them too. Love the eye contact, and you have exposed the snowy nicely. Im fine with the perch, as its weathered, but if this were mine, I would crop up from the bottom to 'remove' the lighter band. :w3

For me, the light area at the bottom echoes the bird and provides a base for the image, although we tend to think of a base as darker. In this case, the base is a nice surprise.

I might think about cropping from the top, halfway to the bird's head.

Thank you Diane, and Stuart. Thanks for the suggestions but I'm afraid it would be too tight if I removed some canvas.
The bottom part represents the snow field as it really was.
The background is a distand patch of treeded area.
I have several images of this bird as we were slowly getting into position, trying to get closer and having the sun behind.
It was actually taken about half an hour before sunset on a very cold day in February.
Stuart, I hope you'll get your wish come true one day.

LOvely Snowie and congrats on the 3000 posts. I really like the dark bg as it sets off the bird so well. The strip of snow, I think that is what it is, sets the stage for me and so I would leave it as well.

Congrats Karl great milestone and its clear you work hard on your images

Fantastic image to celebrate your milestone with, Karl. I enjoy your work and it seems to keep on getting better and better.

Wonderful image to celebrate the milestone, I like the composition the pose and exposure. The slightly darker eye adds credibility as it were for me.

Beautiful perch shot. Nice exposure. I don't think the snow at the bottom bother me too much.

Congrats Karl on the 3000th post! Great image no doubt! Cheers

Karl:

Congrats on the milestone. Lovely owl. I would leave the white on the bottom for my tastes.
The slightly damaged lowest feather adds a little extra interest as you exam the birds details.

Cheers

Randy

...and a beauty it is to commemorate your milestone!! I can see why it is a favorite of yours. Congrats on 3K, and here's to many more.....

Congrats on 3,000! Can't think of a thing I'd do to change this. Love the feather detail, natural "look" of the eyes... bg is exceptional.

Congratulations on 3000. Beautiful image of a beautiful bird!

Beautiful image as always Karl - congrats on your 3000th - I really enjoy your images,
Cheers, Greg

I like the pose, perch, IQ and composition. Congratulations on 3000. Beautiful image Karl!

Congratulations Karl. You are such a valuable member of this community. Whenever I see your name under a thumbnail I know it'll be a treat to view. Your work is really superb and something I aspire to. Your comments are always helpful too.
Beautiful snowy image, perfect to mark this venerable milestone.

Very nice portrait, Karl.
Looking forward to the next 3000!

Congrats on 3000 Karl! Enjoy having you as a friend on BPN.
I really like this image and I can see why you love it.
I like the comp as is and the weathered perch really suits.
Gail

A real beauty. Congrats for the milestone.

Congrats Karl on the 3000th post. Always enjoy your images and appreciate your input. Beautiful shot to celebrate your milestone!!. TFS

Hi Karl - a great image with which to celebrate your 3000th post. Congrats!

TFS,
Rachel

Heartiest congratulations on your 3000th post. Excellent image of snowy to celebrate milestone.
Love it.

Regards,
Satish.

Karl, congrats on the milestone, with a lovely image. I'm fine with the snowy bottom. I might have been tempted to work on the left eye, but can see why you left it natural. Well done as usual. Looking for thousands more.

Lovely details and light here with super exposure. Huge congrats on the milestone and thank you so much for all of your participation!

Thanks for all of you.
BPN is a great Forum; nice people and excellent learning opportunities.

Beautiful portrait, great details and eye contact.