Barn owl hunting

[Ivan Ellison]

Another from yesterday. A little soft due to the light but I think it gives a nice feel to the pic and shows the owl in intense hunting mode listening for any movement.
Cropped to approx 60% of orig, tweaked the exposure and sharpened the bird, blur tool to smooth out the bg. lightened the highlight in the eye that was just about showing.
Canon 1D mkIV
Canon 500 f4 is (mk1) + 1.4 conv
1/800
f 5.6
ISO 800.

[Grace Scalzo]

Ivan, I think this is just lovely. Light is beautiful as is the owl and his pose and your processing looks superb. Thanks, this was a treat to see.

[Karl Egressy]

Excellent flight shot, Ivan. You guys are lucky to have got these great looking Owls flying around. Not many left around here, if any.

[Marina Scarr]

This is an absolutely lovely capture. Love the soft BG and the back lighting on the wings makes it extra special. Nice exposure and details on your owl. I bet this looks good in a large size.

[Mark Jones]

A+ image, Ivan and great PP too! Well done!

[gail bisson]

The BG is gorgeous!
Great wing spread as well. Excellent comp.
The catchlight in the the looks red and I would correct that.
I might brighten the image just a touch,
Gail

[Miguel Palaviccini]

Ivan,

Love the spread of the wings, the turn of the head. Nicely captured!

I agree with Gail about the red catchlight (although I didn't notice it until she pointed it out). I would selectively dodge just a bit around the face.

Miguel

[Jonathan Ashton]

Ivan I am getting jealous! Great pose and timing, I like the PP with the exception of the eye - just a tad overdone for me.

[Petros Petrou]

This is a Great image. I like the BG and the wing spread. I am a little jealous since it is nearly impossible to get these guys in daylight here ...

[Stu Bowie]

Hi Ivan, lovely hovering pose with the backlighting effect through the wings. I like the placement in the frame, and that BG is sweet.

[dankearl]

I am really envious.
Beautiful photo, a touch of backlighting, and a great wingspan.
The Red catchlight does look a bit off, but I like it.

[Matthew Studebaker]

I just LOVE the light coming through the wing and tail feathers. Beautiful colors, pose, and background. What a beautiful image. I'm seeing a dark halo around the bird.