My first bird in 2013.

[Karl Egressy]

I was heading to the place where a male Snowy was reported here in Ontario. The weather man did not tell us when the sunny break was going to be so I went there very early just to find foggy and overcast condition.
I left after an hour but then the weather got improved, so I drove back. It was midday so the lighting was not ideal. The top part of the eyes were in shadow from the eyelids I guess. I cleaned it up.
Hope you like it.

Canon 1D MIV
Canon 500 f4.0 L IS +1.4x TC
Manual Exposure
ISO 200
f8.0
1/3200 s

[Mike Veltri]

Nice image Karl, but I think the eyes look a litte strange imo, maybe a repost of the orignal would look better.

[Jon Swanson]

Beautiful light and bird Karl! I like he he landed right between the two plants that give some balance to the image as well. The eyes look a little 'flat' but is easily fixed.

[Randy Stout]

Karl:

You handled the harsher light well. Would be interesting to see the eyes in the original capture. My favorite part is the foot/talons showing so clearly.

For personal taste, I would crop down from the top a bit.

Wish I could get two passes at a snowy in one day!

Cheers

Randy

[Daniel Cadieux]

Good first bird to have for the year! Mid-day light isn't as bad during the winter, plus you have snow acting as a reflector too. The eyes do look a bit odd, and the upper part of the BG is a bit blotchy, but all in all a terrific start to 2013 for you!

[Karl Egressy]

Thank you all. s the original jpeg version (I shoot Raw+jpeg) cropped more or less the same size for comparison about 50 percent of the original.
No PP allpied. I did not like the eye, but I agree that I kind of overcooked it. I was kneeling in the snow and hand holding the rig for this shot if I recall.
( I started out from tripod but switched over very soon)

[Bill Dix]

Great way to start the year. I like the OP. I think it was appropriate to address the shadow, although as you say, the eye work may have been just a bit overcooked. I might be tempted to move the bird a little right in the frame by adding a bit of canvas on the left, but that's personal taste.

[gail bisson]

Great first post of the year!
I have yet to see a snowy in real life.
You did a good job in PP with the eyes I think.
I really like how well you can see the feet and talons,
Gail

[Satish Ranadive]

Great start of the year with beautiful image of beautiful bird.
Love the pose and expression-smile of the owl.

Regards,
Satish.

[Stu Bowie]

Hi Karl, I like how the snowy placed himself between the two upright sticks, and good eye contact here. Looking at your original, you have done a very good job in pp to produce your image above in pane #1. Well done.

[Troy Lim]

Very nice shot Karl, love the placement of the bird.

[Frank Schauf]

Great pose and setting you have here, Karl.