This morning, while waiting for a meeting, I Goggled Screech Owl calls and listened to several...numerous times. I then sat in my car learning to whistle my best screech owl mating call imitation...never figuring it might work.
Up till today, I had never seen this birds eyes open.
I arrived, put the beanbag on the window, rested the camera on it, put the car seat as low as it would go so I could actually see through the viewfinder (subject is about 30' up) and watched it for a while.
It turned it's head a hair, I whistled once and low and behold...eyes actually opened up!
Not open all the way, but at least I now know it actually has eyes :)
Not bad for my last cold weather subject before I head to Florida to do some photography down there :)
Nikon D300s, 500VR, TC17EII, ISO 1000, f8, 1/80, NearUniWB, CW metering, -.3 EV
01-11-2010, 05:17 PM
Fabs Forns
What a cutie, I know they can be pretty deaf to calls sometimes. Great light and I like the centered compo here, only way to go. Love those little horns and yes :), the eye contact.
01-11-2010, 05:19 PM
Jim Fenton
I'll miss this bird while I'm gone...but my head is already on Sanibel Fabs :)
01-11-2010, 05:25 PM
david cramer
Nice work, Jim. Good contrast, color, and detail. I also like the center composition... you might consider a square crop. Now that you have the call down, watch out during mating season.
01-11-2010, 05:50 PM
LouBuonomo
That is a cute one Jim ! If it were mine I would be tempted to burn the bark a bit.
Enjoy FL.. hope it warms up !
Lou
01-11-2010, 06:19 PM
Danny J Brown
Great story and beautiful shot, Jim. How I would love to know of a little place like this where a little owl returns each day. I've kind of got the same thing going with a kingfisher perch but this is much better. Have fun in Florida.
01-11-2010, 06:23 PM
Jim Fenton
Actually...I think this bird is feeding in his tree cavity. Twice now I've seen small bird poke their heads in for a look see and then disappear :)
01-11-2010, 06:41 PM
Mike Tracy
With your first post I read it with interest and when I saw this one I got excited. Glad you got this cute guy with his eyes open.
Is that blood on the right talon ?
I might only follow the suggestion of darkening the bark but otherwise leave as is.
01-11-2010, 07:21 PM
Ted Willcox
Neat image. What a find
Ted
01-11-2010, 07:33 PM
Myer Bornstein
Great to see the owl with the eyes open. I will be a month behind you to Sanibel
01-11-2010, 09:07 PM
Randy Stout
Jim:
Techs are very nice, with a very fun image here. Makes me smile.
+1 on slightly darkened bark, so highlight the owl.
Cheers
Randy
PS: Safe and enjoyable to Florida
01-11-2010, 09:33 PM
Axel Hildebrandt
Your owl sound must have been impressive, the owl looks a bit shocked. :) Great to see the eyes, sharpness looks good, too. I would just tone down the whites, they are partially overexposed.
01-12-2010, 04:03 AM
arash_hazeghi
What a cute little guy! Love the pose you captured, congrats :)
01-12-2010, 04:45 AM
Hendri Venter
Wow this is so sweet. Love the pose, eye contact and detail. Many congrats.
01-12-2010, 10:16 AM
paul leverington
Well he looks ticked off in this one Jim! Now the challenge is to get a shot with the eyes big and round wide opened!;):D:)
Paul
01-12-2010, 12:22 PM
Kaustubh Deshpande
Thx for the story. Loved the composition and the bird is really cute. I like the subtle difference in the crop of this one than the last (more room at top here than the previous).
01-12-2010, 12:52 PM
Callie de Wet
Just a lovely image of a cute little owlet, I am now assuming it is <30 cm. A wee bit of contrast would spice it up for me, but gorgeous as posted, Jim.
01-13-2010, 12:07 PM
James Salywoda
Really a very nice shot Jim I like the look that you got from this little beauty.