Burrowing Owl in Golden Light - Last Day of Trip to Salton Sea

[Loi Nguyen]

Last image of my Burrowing Owl series (really!) taken just before sunset. Love the background here and the golden light on the owl.

1DX
500f4 II + 1.4X III
1/3200
f5.6
ISO-640
BLUBB Bean bag from car window
+1/3 EV Evaluative Metering
Manual Mode
Cropped a wee bit at bottom, left, and top.

I decided to leave the whitewash in since it is part of the environment. Tried to darken it, but didn't like it.

Thank you for providing valuable comments and feedback that help me with my images!

Loi

[jack williamson]

I am not sure about this crop but the light, exposure, and sharpness are top notch. The BG is very good.

Jack

[Jim Thomas]

beautiful light and backgound. Maybe crop some off the left and top? Nice work.

Jim

[Joe Senzatimore]

sweet light , Bg and details. Might crop a bit off both sides were it mine.

[Bruce Enns]

Really sweet light, great BG and exposure...it looks to me like the owl is leaning backwards...a bit of clockwise rotation would solve it.

Cheers!
Bruce

[Frank Schauf]

Beautiful portrait, great details and eye contact.

[gail bisson]

The light is what makes this shot special.Excellent IQ and detail.
I think this would look better as a vertical.
Killer complimentary BG colors,
Gail

[stuart wanuck]

Love subject and bg agree with closer crop

[Daniel Cadieux]

I'm Ok with the horizontal crop but I think you could have pointed your lens right a bit more (but after moving your vehicle left, if possible, to remove the OOF element at right). Neat perch, great light, and super BG. Did you work on the bird's right eye (to our left)?

[Jeannean Ryman]

Wonderful image Loi. I too would crop from the top and left. The background and light are perfect for this bird!

[Loi Nguyen]

I'm Ok with the horizontal crop but I think you could have pointed your lens right a bit more (but after moving your vehicle left, if possible, to remove the OOF element at right). Neat perch, great light, and super BG. Did you work on the bird's right eye (to our left)?

Daniel, good call. Yes, I brightened both eyes a little and now I see the issue with the left eye. Yes, I could have moved the vehicle left a little. Honestly, I didn't see the OOF branches on the right while I was shooting :(. Thank you.

Loi

[Karl Egressy]

Lovely image Loi, the light makes it special.

[Robert Holguin]

Wonderful shot.
Great pose, wonderful background, and excellent details.
The light is just gorgeous.
Well done.

[Loi Nguyen]

Thank you everyone, much appreciated your feedback. Here is a vertical crop. It certainly shows the owl better at the expense of losing the habitat, but it is a good portrait. Loi

[Cheryl Arena Molennor]

I was thinking vertical and there it was. Prefer the repost. Great golden light and detail on the owl. I think the vertical lessens the look of poo on the rock :)

[mohammad reza shahab]

beautiful light and BG.Great pose and detail.