Does it work?

Hi to everybody.
I tried to create an unusual portrait of the great (is it Eagle Owl in english?) Owl.
I've seen and taken so many clean Portraits of that species with clean BG, good eye contact, good sharpnes and everything. So I wanted to create an other type of picture.
I took one without the straight in the eye- contact, but eyes still clear to see, changed to black and white and blurred the image with a mask, just leaving the eyes and "ears" sharp.
I showed the image to my boyfriend, he likes it. So I dare to show it to you....:o What do you think? Does it work or how can I improve it or improve my idea of a special portrait?

Mark III, Canon 28 - 135,
f 5, 1/40 sec./ ISO 1000

Thanks a lot for looking at my picture, any comment very welcome!

I like it although a little more eye contact would have been nice. I would selectively sharpen the bird's eyes a bit to really make them pop. This thread might do well in OOTB.

Rosl, Very nice stare and I love the eyes. Might tone down a few really bright spots but I do like the overall look. The B&W looks good to me.

Agree with both Dave and Denise. I would also sharpen the bill to go with the eyes and ears. All in all, though, I think it works. I just wish you could see a little bit more of that right eye...

The blur on the fur is fabulous...it looks so downy soft. Nice job!

nice intense stare.
Maybe lighten the iris and get the pupils a full black