Cuban Pygmy Owl

[Bill Dix]

Endemic to Cuba. Although hardly bigger than a beer can, this little guy was described by our guide (co-author of the Birds of Cuba field guide) as "a real killing machine" for his prowess in hunting lizards and small birds. C&C appreciated.

D7000, 80-400 VR @ 400, ISO 3200, 1/400s @ f/7.1, fill @ +0.3. HH

[Sanjeev Aurangabadkar]

Bill, What an amazing little Owl. Great pose, HA, lovely composition. He sure looks like a little mean killing machine!

[Stu Bowie]

Hi Bill, the moment captured perfectly - who is looking at who. Love those eyes, and your comp works well with a great view of the nest. I like how the little guy is posed mostly against the BG.

[Amy Kay]

What a great pose, love those eyes!

[Janet Heintz]

Bill,
Beautiful image, I love owls, the detail in the feathers is great and I love the pose.
Good job!

[Juan Carlos Vindas]

Very good looking owl! love the talons and stare. Cool image indeed!

[arash_hazeghi]

what an amazing specie, never seen this one and handsome. the head shows some motion blur.

[Bill Dix]

Thanks everyone. Arash, you could be right about motion blur; he didn't hold this pose but for a split-second. But I think part of the issue is some loss of IQ as a result of this combination of lens and high ISO.

[vishaljadhav]

I love the look on the face, thats the key for me in the whole image , when i see at the image my eye really doesn't go anywhere but gets straight to the face and those fantastic eyes
i really did not think of any thing else , its simply too compelling image
Love it made my day watching this one

[Doug Brown]

Great pose! I love those wide open eyes! It certainly could be motion blur, but the tree is blurry too. I think your focus is on the wing.

[Marina Scarr]

Lovely subject and pose. Nice to see him at the nest cavity. There is motion blur in the head. The entire image could use some sharpening but not sure you are going to be able to compensate for the blur on the head.

[PhilCook]

Too good, amazing eyes that demand ones attention....maybe a slight increase in sharpening on the head region would help a little with the blur ?

[Karl Egressy]

Aside from the motion blur mentiened, it is a beautiful picture of a wonderful looking Owl, Bill. I was wondering if the sharpness issue can be fixed.

[Bill Dix]

Thanks again. Here's a repost with a touch of deblur and USM on the head. Better?

[Diane Miller]

Love this image -- what a cute little killing machine! (That's nature...) And a size reference I can relate to!

[Satish Ranadive]

Bill Sir:
Absolutely superb image of owl. Love the inquisitive pose,very nice lights,colors and details.Re post is great.Wonderful composition.

Regards,
Satish.

[Tim King]

Great nest shot. Love those eyes.