Great Horned Owl

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y28...HornedOwlw.jpg
Stoney Creek, Ontario, Canada
D300 200-400 VR
1/200s f/5.6 at 380.0mm iso250

Hand held through sunroof of the F150, slight crop.,

I was very lucky to see this bird fly into a roadside perch, and wait long enough for me to approach quietly by backing up to the location, and climb up through the sunroof and fire a few frames. It wasn`t long before it moved on, but I was very happy for the look!

Another try at it, I hope this isn't too washed out.

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y28...ornedOwlw2.jpg

thanks for your comments.

Great find, I like the pose and intense look. The bird could go a bit brighter for my taste.

Hi Raymond,

Love the intense look. I like the owl as presented because it goes well with the mood in this image.

Great composition Raymond and beautiful capture !! The intense stare really makes this image or me as well as the excellent detail. Congratulations on finding this beauty !!!

Hi Raymond,
I like the branches across the frame. I also like the stern look and alert pose. The clenched talons add to the effect.
Steve

Never seen a great horned owl in this pose. The lighting brings a certain atmosphere to the photo.

I like the tension in this image....really feel the power of the stare, the clenched talons, and the jaggedness of the branches.

Different alert pose and I like the interest added by the branches. I agree with Axel that the bird could be brighter.

I like the compos very much, Ray, the branches present a very interesting pattern that adds to the image. Another vote for lighter.

Hi, here what I woul've done to this shot, I have darkened a bit the BG and then crop from the bottom to remove the lower branches. But overall and as yuo presented it was great!! Congratulations!

thanks Ramon., this is almost my exact original edit, shortly after I took the image this spring., I have just been trying to get creative with it., to see what people like., I appreciate your effort very much.