Female Burrowing Owl Bringing Home Dinner

[Loi Nguyen]

Another image of Burrowing Owl from Salton Sea, California. This female owl is a very good hunter and caught this moth in mid air about 50 feet off the ground. She then landed on this perch to transfer the prey into her mouth and then jumps off to feed it to the chicks. This shot was taken as she jumped off the mount.

1DX
500f4 II + 1.4 X III
1/4000
f5.6
ISO-1600
Tripod

The image was under-exposed by about 1 EV as a cloud suddenly covered the sun when I took the shot. I brightened it in PP.

Appreciate your comments

Thank you

Loi

[Jeff Cashdollar]

Loi,

Nice post, what a great moment with nature and we all love the behavior shots. I really like your field techniques you know the subject, know its food habits and were totally prepared for the moment. I could learn a thing or two from you. Knowledge is power,..John will love the planning and nature acumen here. I really like the picture as posted,.I guess you could take a small layer from the bottom but with the supporting narrative it all fits together. On balance, a truly great shot,..thanks to you I am there.

Just curious - what is your tripod setup?

One more thing: the background complements the subject and is muted - nice one!

[Loi Nguyen]

Loi,

Nice post, what a great moment with nature and we all love the behavior shots. I really like your field techniques you know the subject, know its food habits and were totally prepared for the moment. I could learn a thing or two from you. Knowledge is power,..John will love the planning and nature acumen here. I really like the picture as posted,.I guess you could take a small layer from the bottom but with the supporting narrative it all fits together. On balance, a truly great shot,..thanks to you I am there.

Just curious - what is your tripod setup?

One more thing: the background complements the subject and is muted - nice one!

Hi Jeff, I use a Gitzo 3530LS 3-section and a Wimberley V2 head. As for the field craft, I'm still learning actually. I find if I can find a nest site and take my time and not to get too close, the birds will accept me and go about their daily life. Once I achieve that, I'd rather spend hours at one location than trying to move from 1 place to another and then get to learn their routine. In this case, once I figured out the the parents catch prey with their talons, but always transfer it to their beak before giving it to the chicks, I'm in the money. All I need to do was to aim my lens on the perch outside the burrow, knowing that the parents would stop there to transfer the prey, and then jump off. It was a very rewarding experience for me!

Loi

[Kerry Perkins]

Great job on this one Loi! You have corrected the exposure nicely and the color rendition, detail, and pose are just super. Well done! Your field technique is exemplary and is the key to getting the best opportunities.

[Jeannean Ryman]

Super image Loi! Agree with all the above.

[Bob Miller]

Very impressive Loi! What a great shot! This is one to hang on the wall ! TFS

[hirandesilva]

This is a good flying shot, good to learn how you have captured this image. Like the Dark shades of the bird in the light brown BG and the yellows eyes.

Hiran