Stumped.

[Daniel Cadieux]

The reason for the title is that to me this looks like a sculpted stump with a face. It was a cold and windy afternoon...about -20C (not counting the wing-chill factor) at the time the image was created. I like the habitat in the BG for this one...

Canon 7D +100-400L @400mm, manual exposure, evaluative metering, 1/1600s., f/6.3, ISO 800, natural light, handheld, FF, a few specks in the snow spot-healed out, baited.

[gail bisson]

This is lovely Daniel. I like your title but it also reminds me of the talking trees (Ents) in Lord of the Rings!
I like your composition and I really like the blue in the BG.
I would clone out the little bit of grass next to the owls left shoulder.
Snow details excellent,
Gail

[Joe Senzatimore]

Killer image. Glad to see both eyes. Great job on exposure.

[Miguel Palaviccini]

Daniel,

I thought the title was because he looked so stumped. As in, "why is this guy out in -20C weather taking a picture of me? I must look good!"

Still enjoying every one of you posts of this species. And every time I get drawn straight to the eyes. For this one, I like that his head is turned slightly, although I wish I could see his right eye completely.

Miguel

[Stu Bowie]

Hi Dan, another amazing capture of this wonderful looking owl, and just love the owl is 'sitting' comfy in the snow. Your placement is spot on, as is the overall exposure, and I do like the hint of yellow ( trees? ) in the distant BG.

You can keep your -20 deg C, we are averaging 34 deg C.

[David Salem]

I like the sitting in the snow pose. From a distance Ill bet he looks like a stump. Looks like he is waiting for a mole to resurface so he can pounce again. Techs look perfect and the eyes are sharp. Well done

[Kiran Poonacha]

loved the frame DC.. the owls look adds to it..

[Daniel Cadieux]

Thanks guys! Stuart, the yellow in the BG is from dry grasses poking out of the snow. Gail, good eye with that small bit of grass next to the shoulder!

[Doug Brown]

Excellent detail and nice habitat. They do look rather like a tree stump when you can't see those piercing yellow eyes.

[Marina Scarr]

Super pose on this one and I just love that BG. Lovely details. Love the owl's placement in the frame.

[Raymond Lee]

Great capture of their typical behaviour while on the ground. This is an example where you don't need good head angles or eye contact in the photo. The lighting is awesome, and the environment is great.

[dankearl]

Another Beauty.
The BG is terrific.
Cool and different for me to see them sitting on the ground.

[Nick Palmieri]

I absolutely love the pose on this one!

[girisholeti]

It's wonderful. Perfectly captioned.

[Brendon Cremer]

stunning image well captured, great comp, lovely colours and awesome detail, a superb image

[Cheryl Arena Molennor]

Such a sweet capture. I really want one of these shots...someday. Your title is so appropriate and I just love that pose and bg

[nick clayton]

I like the contrast of the dark bird against its light surroundings. The background colours are nice and subtle the blue and warmer hues complementing each other. I love the angle of the owls head and the fact you can still see both of those beautiful eyes. Everything is good about this image Daniel.