The Look

This past season was my first opportunity to photograph a visible barred owl nest. Although the adult pair had been nesting in the park for years, this nest was difficult to spot...like finding a needle in a haystack...even when you knew where it was. The owlet is about 2 weeks old. I love the look of adoration between the two. While it was a difficult nest to photograph, what a treat to witness and document the nesting/rearing behavior.

Canon 1D4, Canon 500L
F5.6, 1/125sec, ISO 1250
Fill flash w/Better Beamer
Feisol tripod, Jobu head

Thank you in advance for your thoughtful comments and critiques.

The arrangement of the elements in this image showcases your artist's eye...High marks for storytelling, and that both chick and adult are looking at one another (and not at you) surely makes this one memorable. The bg is well managed, and the subjects are nicely isolated against it...however, the bg blur in between the two looks...(overly blurred)...I can see a straight line going straight up from the adult's head to the top of the frame, and all the bg to the right of the line looks to gaussian blurred to me....other than that, it's a truly great piece of avian photography.

Sweet interaction and comp. Maybe a little tight.

Hi Marina, love the eye contact between parent and chick - it really shows the affection between the two. I find the comp just right, and the adult is nicely separated from the BG. An opportunity well used, and surely a contest winner along the way. :w3

Awesome pix. A little more room to the sides would be nice and I would have been tempted to take out the dark hole on the bottom right but that's nit picking.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Shawn Zierman

The bg is well managed, and the subjects are nicely isolated against it...however, the bg blur in between the two looks...(overly blurred)...I can see a straight line going straight up from the adult's head to the top of the frame, and all the bg to the right of the line looks to gaussian blurred to me....other than that, it's a truly great piece of avian photography.

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Thank you for your words, Shawn. I have not done any work to the background. I'm pretty sure that's another tree in the BG. This was a very difficult nest to shoot b/c of light and distractions.

The thumbnail just doesn't tell anything about this photo. One seen it it big it is amazing. Very sweet contact between parent and chick and great nesting environment. Would be good to have some more space on the left imo. Well done, Marina.

Yes very "Yummy "
No real nits. I might agree about the small black hole but before joining this forum I would never have noticed it !!!
John

magic image Marina,like the colors of the bark blending with the adult owl,great pose,nice soft light,agree on the holes being removed.well done.

Excellent interaction captured. Beautiful habitat and composition.

Regards,
Satish.

Impressive composition love it

I remember that nest. That was a fun evening shooting with you guys. The shot looks beautiful and dose not look over flashed. I guess Dougs pointers really helped out. I like "the look". Well done Marina

this is so cute Marina! love the look and the expression