Snowy Owl

[Shawn Zierman]

This snowy owl was photographed in Minnesota last winter. This owl was fed live mice, by me, as part of the making of this image.
The owl had just taken off from a hay bale and was doing a bit of hovering prior to coming in to take the mouse. SonyA300, Sigma50/500,
iso400, 1/1600, f9, cropped, removed several dust sensor spots, USM. Comments and critiques always welcome.
Regards,
Shawn Zierman.

[Stu Bowie]

Hi Shawn, I was wondering how you get snowy's to give you great eye contact in mid-flight, but your introduction says it all. A moment well captured, and love how the yellow eyes pop from all the surrounding whites. I would maybe dodge the left eye of the snowy, ( the right eye as we look at the image ) Did I mention how well exposed the whole image is.

I would love to photograph this species one day. Wanna trade a kingfisher trip for snowy trip.

[Miguel Palaviccini]

Wonderful image Shawn. Great exposure and detail throughout. Just stunning!

[arash_hazeghi]

intense eye contact make this frame for me

[ArabindaDebnath]

Great eye contact and exposure.Beautiful image.

[pat lillich]

beautiful, elegant pose... incredible eye contact.

[Joe Senzatimore]

One sweet image. Spot on exposure and eye contact.

[Doug Brown]

I would love to photograph this species one day. Wanna trade a kingfisher trip for snowy trip.

I'll make that trade!

[Nancy Bell]

Outstanding!! Love the out-stretched wing with that little flip at the end, fanned tail, and of course, those intense yellow eyes staring right at you! Agree with Stuart about dodging the one eye just a bit. These Snowy Owls are so very photogenic that I get owl-envy when I see images like this .

[allanrube]

Does anyone else see a vampire and its cape? Great shot.
Thanks fort posting that you baited it. Not everyone does.

[David Salem]

Nice shot Shawn. Exposed well and plenty of feather detail. The eye contact makes the shot. Wish the left wing was all the way down so we could see all the detail in their beautiful wings. Im sure you do to. Great capture!

[Shawn Zierman]

Thanks for the responses.
David, I actually do not wish that the left wing was all the way down. The bird was hovering and I think the wing position shows that.
Having said that....see my next post. If I did not have that image also, I might feel differently about this one

[Daniel Cadieux]

It does look like it is hovering, very neat. Love the light and light angle here. Well done on all counts.