Barred Owl Closeup portrait

[Bob Miller]

I took thsi at a raptor shoot sponsored by a wildlife refuge rehabilatation program so I was able to get pretty close. The original bg was of bright green grass but I changed the bg by desaturating and then using viveza to add some browns repeating the colors of the subject. The water droplets were sprayed on by the handler because of the hot day.
200 mm macro
1/500 f11
ISO 800
Comments welcome!

[Jeannean Ryman]

Very cool portrait shot. I was able to go to one a couple of years ago, and like you, used a macro lens for close-up shots. Pretty neat to see them so close! Love what you did with the background. There's a small brown spot just above the half-way mark that is getting some attention from me, but very nicely done.

[Clyde Hopper]

Love this one Bob ! good catch by Jeannean .

[Jim Thomas]

Very nice portrait, but not a Barred Owl. Great horned or long eared maybe.

Jim

[John Chardine]

I like this intimate portrait Bob. The lighting situation looks tough here with filtered light by the look of it. Anyway, the main components of the image are well let. At the raw processing stage I would try to tone down the brightest portions of the white feathers.

[Kerry Perkins]

Very nice Bob, great opportunity to get close without spooking your subject. I agree with comments above, would add that I suggest adding some saturation and level to the eye to make it pop a bit more. I agree with the ID also, looks like a Great Horned Owl to me. The Barred Owl has a very flat face that is mostly white and very dark eyes. Jim's avatar is a Barred Owl I believe.

[Jeff Cashdollar]

Nice BOB and very original composition,..

I agree with John on the light and would also crop some from the right. Thanks for sharing - animal portraits are among my favorite pictures - well done - good eye.