Way Up In a Pine at Sunrise

Since this is likely the last snowy owl I'll get to create images of until next fall (weather, upcoming shows and migration), I'll post one last one from this morning.

I already know that the angle will be too steep to some and some won't like the snowy being perched in a pine tree....but such is life :)

The light was kinda sweet and I got a good look....so I took the opportunity.

Nikon D300, 500 AFSVR, TC14EII, ISO 800, f8, +1 EV compensation

I like the golden light and stare. I don't mind the perch at all, it looks a bit oversharpened on my monitor.

Did the snowy owls leave earlier in previous years? I find it surprising that they are still around.

Sweet light, and what a stare. I commented the other day, and questioned why they perch on the beach, and now you have one perched in a tree. Either, dont bother me, and dont find the angle in this too steep at all. Congrats Jim.

Axel...

I've seen them leave in March and two years ago, we had two at Plum Island up through May 14th.

I think that most of the birds still around (not all) are now 2nd year males. They're eating like pigs, they aren't going to breed this year and I just don't think they're in any big rush. Perhaps we're noticing it more because so many more came south this winter after last years reported breeding success?

Jim:

The angle is OK, helped by your effective focal length of 1050mm.
Light is nice, details good, and of course those killer eyes. I actually like seeing them perched in different spots, rounds out my knowledge of their behavior.

The sharpness looks OK to me, I can't see a halo on my MacPro. Axel is very perceptive on these issues, so perhaps I am just missing it.

Randy

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Jim Fenton

Axel...

I've seen them leave in March and two years ago, we had two at Plum Island up through May 14th.

I think that most of the birds still around (not all) are now 2nd year males. They're eating like pigs, they aren't going to breed this year and I just don't think they're in any big rush. Perhaps we're noticing it more because so many more came south this winter after last years reported breeding success?

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Interesting, that makes sense if they are not breeding yet.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Randy Stout

Jim:

The sharpness looks OK to me, I can't see a halo on my MacPro. Axel is very perceptive on these issues, so perhaps I am just missing it.

Randy

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If you look at the eyes and pine needles you can see that they are a bit jagged.

Thanks Axel:
I can clearly see the jaggies in the pine needles, and just a little in the dark surround for the eye.

I think I need a larger monitor!

Thanks for the info.

Randy

Nothing to add to what others have said.

Very nice and thanks for sharing.

Great image - lovely light and detail. Agree on the slight oversharpness.