"Look Out"

[David Salem]

Found a really great spot for Burrowing owls this spring. 20 owls in a 2-3 acre field.

As the Babies grew they became more and more used to my car and by now I think they think Im part of there habitat.

I sit for hours watching them interact and hunt. I will post some more pics of different individuals and neat flying and hunting shots.

Sitting in my truck about three months ago about 35 feet away when this guy saw a bug close to me. A fun "in your face" shot.

Thanks as always for looking and your input.

David


1DMKIV --- 500mm--- f5.6 --- ss1/2500 --- ISO 400 --- HHw/ BLUBB --- @7:15am --- 10% Crop

[Stu Bowie]

Hi David, certainly in your face, and love the concentrated stare. In this, I feel the owl is a touch too large in the frame, but if the BG had been a bit more uniform, it may have worked better. You are fortunate to have these owls accostomed to you, so Im sure you have lots to share. Others may see this differently.

[gail bisson]

Hi David,
Great shot! Kudos for getting an incoming bird so tack sharp.
Love the full frontal view as well and all the complimentary colors.
If this was mine I would add some canvas to the right and bottom. I would also try to minimize the dark band under the rock.
A terrific shot regardless,
Gail

[Ken Watkins]

David,

I am quite happy with the crop, the eyes are the subject for me, very well done.

[Ofer Levy]

Great shot! Although I never present an image as a square I don't have a problem with square composition as presented. If anything maybe slightly off the top to move the head off centre.

[Roger Clark]

Hi David,
Great image! I think the crop is fine, as tight works well with the eyes and the eyes are above center. I find the background bokeh a little unpleasing but that can be fixed with a little selective blur. I agree about the dark shadow: maybe lighten it and then with a little blurring, will be less noticeable. Darkening the background a little would put the image over the top.

Roger

[Daniel Cadieux]

I'm OK with the crop as presented too...very in-your-face as you say. The eyes are very sharp and striking, too bad one of them is in shadow though, but still quite mesmerizing. I do wish the BG rock would not be so prominent, but the owl still pops rather nicely off of it. Looking forward to more from your time with these delightful little guys!

[Satish Ranadive]

Every thing has been said about the image.Love the magnificent flight pose.

Regards,
Satish.

[Bill Dix]

Amazing capture, especially for just a 10% crop. Good points by Roger about the BG, which detracts from an otherwise terrific image. Looking forward to more.

[David Salem]

Thanks everyone for your comments and suggestions. I tried some of your tips. Gail, removed the shadow band under the rock. Offer, took some off the top. Roger, blurred BG and darken a bit. Thanks for the help! What do you think?

David

[Ken Watkins]

The re-post looks even better

[Frank Schauf]

Really nice flight shot and great details, David.

[arash_hazeghi]

cools shot Dave, you did well focusing on the head! These guys are tough to get!

I would go for a 4:3 here and a bit looser. I would not blur the BG as the bokeh looks artificial in the repost. the original might be a tad busy but it is natural.

great work keep em coming!

[gail bisson]

Repost looks great,
Gail

[J van Noordwyk]

Both verry good the repost is a tat better, verry well captured .
Johan

[dankearl]

Repost is really nice, a very tough shot to get right, well done.

[David Salem]

Thank you very much everyone for your nice comments and suggestions. Always appreciated and learned from.

David