Snowy Owl in Habitat.

[Daniel Cadieux]

Although the close-ups and flight shots are quite impressive and fun to create, the "small in the frame" habitat shots often yield nice results - especially for prints to be hung on the wall (not that the others do not look good there too!). Here is one depicting the agricultural area these guys are found in when they irrupt southward.

I struggled with the WB on this image...this one has a bit of a "cool" feel to it that depicts the late snowy day conditions we had. See next pane for a version that has been warmed up. Which one do you like best?

Canon 7D + 100-400L @260mm, manual exposure, evaluative metering, 1/1600s., f/6.3, ISO 1600, natural light, handheld, FF.

[Daniel Cadieux]

Warmed up version:

[Randy Stout]

Daniel:

Interesting balance in the photo, with the small subject, and much larger tree in background to left. The distant trees behind the owl help the equation.

I often let my winter pictures run a bit to the cool side, adds to the winter feeling for me. However, in this case , I prefer the second image, as the owl pops out a bit more to my eye.

We have lots of snow here, with 12-18" more over the next coupe of days, but alas, no snowies!

Cheers

Randy

[John Rowell]

Very nice habitat shot, good framing and a lot to look at here. I've gone back and forth on which I prefer, but I'm going with the first one. I think the coolness accentuates the cold and lonely feel of the image. Daniel, I'll certainly agree with you that choosing the right white balance can be difficult, and in this case it sure is tough to call. Either would look great on a wall.

[Bill Dix]

Another lovely habitat shot. Not as dramatic as the recent flight shot, but lovely nonetheless. I prefer the second one, personally. Wish the distant fenceline didn't intersect his/her head. Comp is nicely balanced.

[vishaljadhav]

I like the second one , a bit more pleasing feel about it to my eye than the first
Surely a impressive thought to make this composition Daniel, unique and works very well
What i liked was the complete monotone effect and only the eyes of the owl have other colour than Black or white , superb image

[Ashleigh Scully]

HI Daniel! I like them both :) I know that won't help you though.

Great shot especially the tall tree in the background which balances the composition. Sometimes its nice to see a shot of a bird that is being photographed a lot recently in an environment shot like this.

[Jim Crosswell]

I like the setting and composition. I like the second image better. Nice image Daniel.

[Holger Leyrer]

I prefer the cold version.
Nice to see the owl in their Habitat. I like the composition between the Little owl and the big tree on the left side.

[Cheryl Arena Molennor]

Love this one Daniel. I like the environmental idea and the snowy foggy atmosphere

[Troy Lim]

Love this type of images. It is more interesting than the fence post shots.

[douglas hayes]

Enjoy the first image as the brutal winter feeling is captured as the Snowy must hunt for his survival. I like the crop with the leafless tree in left upper