The long flight south

[Jamie Douglas]

Heading into Owl season again so here is a Snowy Owl preening shortly after its long flight south to our shores. Taken from my winter 2012 archives. Sadly we don't get much snow out here like our eastern cousins but we make do with our coastal mountain backdrops.

I love how relaxed this owl was as they will usually keep one eye on you while preening.

This is the same owl that let me approach to within a few feet last November. You can read more on that experience on my blog: http://jamiedouglasphotography.com/blog/2013/10/how-did-i-get-40mm-close-to-a-snowy-owl

Camera Techs | Canon 1D Mark IV | 400mm | F5.6 | ISO 250 | 1/3200 (lots of light that day for a change) | Exp Comp -0.3

P.S Not sure what that halo effect is around the lower wing tip. It is in the RAW file.

Cheers

Jamie

[Daniel Cadieux]

Neat preening pose, shows you how comfortable this individual was of your presence (although I do wish the eye was at least a little bit open). Nice BG too. Not sure I see a halo, but I do see some light seeping through that wing tip.

[Jim Crosswell]

I like the feather details, clean BG, exposure and composition. Nice image Jamie.

[Arthur Morris]

Ditto the positives mentioned by Jim and Dan but this image really needed a better look at the eye, and an opened eye at that.

[keith mitchell]

Jamie I don't mind the closed eye that's how they are sometimes, I would be well pleased if it was mine.

Keith.

[Jonathan Ashton]

Beautiful shot, lovely detail, I too do not mind the closed eye, had the nictitating membrane been visible that would have detracted for me but just having the eye shut does not bother me at all.

[Arthur Morris]

What I was looking for, hoping for, was a better look at the owl's eye and face. I have long written and taught, when photographing a preening bird 99.99% of successful images feature the bird's face parallel to the imaging sensor with a good look at the eye.... Not an immutable law of nature, just my 2 cents based on 30 years of doing this :).

[Jonathan Ashton]

What I was looking for, hoping for, was a better look at the owl's eye and face. I have long written and taught, when photographing a preening bird 99.99% of successful images feature the bird's face parallel to the imaging sensor with a good look at the eye.... Not an immutable law of nature, just my 2 cents based on 30 years of doing this :).

Artie, I agree with what you say.

[Marina Scarr]

I really like this image a lot, Jamie. For me, this image works without an eye b/c of the way the head is tucked and you can see all those amazing feather details around the beak. Love the perch and the BG. This might have looked even better if you have one that is more loosely cropped.

[Matthew Studebaker]

dynamic pose, great detail and you isolated the bird well in the composition.

[Sandy Witvoet]

I usually comment on my initial impression... which I will do once again.... I totally love this comp. The only thing I question is the brightness (and kind of fuzzy look?) of the neck feathers....Otherwise, agree with Marina. Really love the gnarled perch, beautiful BG and unusual (and refreshing) pose. This would look great in my home... i.e., ... it really gives you something to look at. Thanks, Jamie!

[Jamie Douglas]

Thanks for commenting folks. I myself like the closed eye in this case and I am glad that is shared by a few of you as well. I feel an open eye would give a sense that the owl wasn't entirely relaxed with my presence. Reminds me of that phrase, sleeping with one eye open indicating one is on guard and not entirely comfortable which was far from the reality of this encounter. I hadn't met a more relaxed Owl and had made a blog post if anyone is interested:http://jamiedouglasphotography.com/b...to-a-snowy-owl

What I was looking for, hoping for, was a better look at the owl's eye and face. I have long written and taught, when photographing a preening bird 99.99% of successful images feature the bird's face parallel to the imaging sensor with a good look at the eye.... Not an immutable law of nature, just my 2 cents based on 30 years of doing this :).

Artie, I always appreciate your insight and shared knowledge from what you have learned over the past 30 years. I was barely out of diapers 30 years ago .

Am I right in thinking that it depends on how obvious the eye is? I noticed this image in a recent blog post of yours and while the eye is closed, it is certainty obvious to the viewer: http://www.birdsasart.com/bloggaller...ibel,%20fl.htm

Thanks a million folks and I hope you all have a Merry Christmas and happy holidays.

Jamie