I took a trip out last week to look for some short eared owls. They were hunting in the field, but wouldn't come within range for a frame filling shot, and I was getting pretty fed up about my results given the 4 hour round trip. However, a Barn Owl made a late appearance to save the day, and I as pretty chuffed when she gave me a reasonable pass.
At that point I was told that "there's a breeding pair here - they appear every afternoon. If you go round the corner you'll probably get them right up close to you!"
Now I need another free day for the shorties in the morning and a serious crack at the barnies later on!
This wasn't much more than a grab shot so is still bit more of a crop than I'd have liked, next time I'll be in place in my hide early on, ready to go with the 5d3 and probably a higher ISO and shutter speed.
Certainly a it more "guts" in the second one Mike, Got itseye on you alright !. very nice. Would be nice with a bit of something blurred in the back for my taste but thats just me - most will prefer as is. No big deal.
John
01-21-2016, 11:55 AM
Mike Poole
Cheers John,
I have a few others with her smaller in frame with a much more interesting BG that I'll post another day, only got one pass so it was bland sky or nothing!
Mike
01-21-2016, 02:20 PM
Jonathan Ashton
Yes certainly prefer the repost Mike when I saw the original I thought lower the brightness and increase contrast a tad, if this is a large crop I would reduce it slightly. The image appears slightly noisy but I think the head is sharp and that's what counts. None of the owls round here are without leg bands so well spotted!
01-21-2016, 06:58 PM
Jim Crosswell
I like the wing position, eye contact, high key and composition. Would love to see this owl one day. Well done Mike!
01-21-2016, 09:45 PM
Karl Egressy
Nice up wing pose and head turn, Mike.
01-21-2016, 10:39 PM
Grace Scalzo
Quite a great species, and I like the hint of peach in the high key background. Great look that the bird is giving you. I'm not 100 percent on the crop and think that a trim from the left might work, even if it becomes squarish. Personal taste, of course.
01-22-2016, 09:24 AM
adrian dancy
Always nice to get a barny:) the repost is better in my view. Good exposure and detail albeit with sacrifice to a little noise which I do not find disturbing.
01-22-2016, 09:24 AM
dankearl
Cool high key subject and eye contact.
01-22-2016, 11:42 AM
arash_hazeghi
excellent frame, love the eye contact and the wing positions. the high key sky isn't bad either. I see some noise on the bird too
TFS
01-22-2016, 02:49 PM
keith mitchell
The second one for me Mike, Owl stands out beautifully.