David Salem's Burrowing Owl

[Doug Brown]

While co-leading my West Coast Flight workshop with Jim Neiger and Arash Hazeghi, we had a chance run-in with BPN members David Salem and Glenn Conlan. They invited us to go photograph Burrowing Owls with them after the workshop was over. I really enjoyed getting to know David and Glenn, and the Owl photography wasn't too bad either. The low light in the early morning made for some very large pupils!

Canon 1Dx, 600mm II + 1.4x III, f/5.6, 1/320, ISO 1250, manual exposure, bean bag

[Manjeet & Yograj Jadeja]

Beautiful environment , beautiful pose

[Randy Stout]

Doug:

The soft light was wonderful here. Good shooting angle, nice to get one on the mound with a clean shot at him. Just the right amount of room for him.

I would consider toning down the brightness of the the angled grass on the left side of the frame. Minor, but just bright enough to catch the eye.

Cheers

Randy

[David Salem]

Nice shot Doug. It was very nice meeting you, Jim and Arash last week in our chance run in. Glad you and Jim had the time to get out this way to enjoy the owls also. It was a fun morning!
I really like the large pupils on this shot and the detail on the feathers and feet are very crisp. The subdued morning light made for a nice even coverage of the owl.

See ya in the winter!

David

[vishaljadhav]

Nice image with one leg up
the eyes take the cake for me here, they are special . Clean on the mound makes it more special
lovely even light all over is sweet.
Love it

[Jeannean Ryman]

Wonderful soft light, clean shot, and those EYES! Love it.

[Sanjeev Aurangabadkar]

Awesome image Doug, love the stance and the glance of the owl :-)
TFS
Sanjeev

[gail bisson]

This is really nice Doug. I like where you have placed the owl in the frame.
Nice color palette. IQ is excellent. I like the clear view of the feet and the clenched toes of the raised foot.
I would either clone out or burn the blade of grass that is angled on the LHS of owl.,
Gail

[dankearl]

Very sharp!
Maybe a tough more contrast? and I agree with Gail about removing the blade of grass.
Excellent angle!

[Dperkell]

Great shot! The grass is distracting but over all a wonderful image.

[Bruce Spell]

Doug, this is a magnificent shot! I can't think of anything "off" though some minor points have been mentioned already. I love the look he's giving you as well as the one-legged stance. It would be fun to know what he's thinking as he's looking into that big eye staring at him...

[arash_hazeghi]

what a sweet owl shot! too bad I couldn't stay longer

[Girish Prahalad]

superb image! like the comp as presented. excellent details & pose. the eyes are something special.

[Gabriela Plesea]

What a beauty, Doug! Love to see the environment of this species in this image The owl is stunning, love the movement captured, also the eyes-so clear and sharp, the soft colours, everything!


Kind regards,

[Doug Brown]

Thank you for the feedback everyone. I'll try a version with the grass toned down and maybe blurred a little.

[Troy Lim]

Nice one, raised leg with big pupils...unique