Barn Owl

[David Salem]

Took this last winter at my local wildlife refuge. I posted one from this chance encounter a while back. I was leaving the refuge without much going on when this Owl flew right in front of me and landed on this post in nice morning light.

1DMkIV---700mm---f6.3---ss1/2500---ISO500---Car as blind@8:15am---35% crop

Thanks as always for looking and for your input. I appreciate it.

David

[Loi Nguyen]

David, beautiful owl, great light, detail, sharpness, BG. The perch isn't ideal, but not distracting. I feel there is not enough space on the left. Loi

[David Salem]

Thanks Loi for the comment.
Funny you mentioned the space on the left because I had it cropped a bit more to the right and thought I would get the comments that it was too centered so I changed it at the last second after having it more centered for a year and a half.
I actually like it a bit off center because the head is leaning towards the center. See what others think.
Thanks again.

[LinzRiverBalmer]

I actually love the crop job and composition.

the t-post is really neat because you can see him holding on between his wings.

the only thing I might do is burn down the orange a little on the post, as I feel its competing with the feather colors a little.

[arash_hazeghi]

excellent eye contact, light and a sweet BG, would prefer a natural perch but I'd take this one any day. There are some sharpening halos on the face and plumage.

TFS

[Stu Bowie]

Hi David, great eye contact, and love the shape of the facial disc. Good DOF on the owl, and I do like the detail and colours on him. Cool how the wings are draped around the feet and 'perch', and the BG is nice and smooth. Comp wise, I would move the owl a little more to the right, but still keeping him off centre to the left.

[gail bisson]

Another stunning image being posted this morning. I am running out of superlatives.
I would center this handsome guy but comp ids such a subjective thing.
What strikes me the most about this image is the heart shape of the face is repeated in the wingtips. I really like how a window is created around the legs and feet.
I hardly noticed the perch. A wonderful image David,
Gail

[Satish Ranadive]

David,
Beautiful image with nice look back pose, superb IQ, beautiful colors and sharpness.

Regards,
Satish.

[Daniel Cadieux]

A better perch is the only thing that could have been better here. Superb image (and I love the comp as is).

[Karl Egressy]

Striking image, David. It is great to have one it the wild. It amazes me ho long the wings are, as they are overhanging the body. I only have captive images of this species.

[Melissa Groo]

What a magnificent creature you've captured so well, David. The light is just wonderful, highlighting every detail. The look at you, and that opening created by the wings are both awesome. I like your comp just as it is.

[Jim Crosswell]

Excellent image David! I like the IQ, details, eye contact and composition.

[Shawn Zierman]

Such great light quality to get this owl species in. A beautiful portrait sir, the over the shoulder look with the evenly lit face is sweet, and the size of the subject in the frame minimizes the perch nicely.

[Cheryl Arena Molennor]

Sweet light and such a neat pose with those feet peeking thru the framework created by the wings. The detail and design of the plumage is amazing

[jack williamson]

Great light here, the owl is very sharp with that great lookback pose. The wings cover the perch enough that I really did not notice it.

Jack

[Ritesh Nangare]

nothing left to say here ......Awesomeness.

that's the only word i have for this......

[yogesh_puranik]

very beautiful image david. Nice sharpness, eye contact, BG. lovely one.
(Note: I called you to see if we can meet this weekend. IM/call me please)

[David Salem]

Thanks everyone for the comments, I appreciate it.

[mohammad reza shahab]

hi David
great light, detail, sharpness, BG.

[Marina Scarr]

This is a killer portrait. I find that even the perch works b/c the colors match the owl. Love how you can see the legs through the window created by the wings and the head turn. There are so many elements of this image that you have to keep on looking at it to see them all.