Last week I spent a nice afternoon with a Northern Hawk Owl that has been overwintering near my home.
This day, I was the only person around. I was watching him as he few out from his perch to a tree in the middle of a field and came up with a mouse. These owls cache thier prey and eat them as needed. I took this photo from quite a distance but loved the raised foot and the expression.
It really is something special, when your one on one with these birds. They have no fear and let you get very close.
After taking this image I checked out the local trees and found at least 20 mice and voles....I will be sad when these Owls head home.
We've had Great Gray's, Boreal, Hawk and Sawhets... a really great winter for Owls
I created this image using Topaz BusSim Effect, it has that illustrated look.
You can see my Owl Photos for the 2013 winter at my blog below..
03-05-2013, 10:02 PM
Kerry Perkins
Really cool owl Paul, I've never seen this one. It looks like it is ready to grab another one, or maybe your hat! The Simplify looks good against that wintery background. Nice one, love the owls.
03-05-2013, 10:19 PM
Dennis Bishop
The subject, the colors, the simplified effect, and the subdued background all work really well. Thanks for the natural history lesson. I'd never have guessed that they cache their kill. Although I like the image a lot, I have to admit I didn't recognize the mouse as a mouse right away. I wonder it it would be more recognizable if the BuzSim were masked off of just it.
03-06-2013, 11:16 AM
Judy Howle
What a great capture Paul! Your owl photos are wonderful. The buzz sim works well. I agree with Dennis that restoring some detail to the mouse would make it more recognizable.
03-06-2013, 11:44 AM
Cheryl Slechta
Paul, I love his expression. How wonderful to spend a day with an owl :) Lovely image:S3:
03-06-2013, 01:34 PM
Janet Heintz
Paul,
This is really nice, I like the subdued colors and the bright eyes.
I have never seen a haw owl. nice find.
Janet
03-10-2013, 07:28 PM
John Chardine
Loverly Paul and I know exactly what you are saying about being one-on-one with a wild animal. The Buzsim effect is very subtle at least as used here. I almost can't see any effect except when looking closely. Well done on that.
