Spotted Eagle Owl

[Tobie Schalkwyk]

This pic is not one of my greatest but it’s one of my most memorable. I knew that this owl sat on my roof almost every evening at dusk but at the nights I was waiting for it, it did not come and vice versa. Then one late afternoon I decided to go for a walk and take my camera with (just in case I find anything snap-worthy). We returned after sundown and as we neared the house, I saw the owl on the roof! I asked my wife to get my camera from my ruck sack as I was scared it was going to fly away if we moved too much. As she was removing the camera, I could hear my extra lenses hitting the tar road and rolling down the street!

I was really perspiring like mad (and shaking!) by the time I was taking the pic. Not bad for 1/8s handheld?


f/5.6
1/8s
ISO 800
260mm
Manual mode
Manual focus
Lens: Tamron 70-300mm

(PS: A few weeks later I was lucky enough to see this owl and its partner introduce their chick to the city-world)

[Tobie Schalkwyk]

FWIW: This thread was originally entered for participation under Wildlife 'Theme' for Feb (which is around-the-house stuff), after which I realised that avian probably does not qualify. The purpose was thus not to throw it up for strict critique (it's definitely not good enough for that!). I'd actually like to rather delete it but apparently I can't edit it anymore. O well, hope you love the story behind it...

[William Dickson]

Great story Tobie and the image is good aswell, considering the circumstances and the settings Well done

[Karl Egressy]

Good story and nice image given the circumstances.

[Tobie Schalkwyk]

Thanks for you comments, guys!

[arash_hazeghi]

nice owl and pose, the image is severely underexposed and lacks details however. I also wish you had a natural perch and the owl was looking at the viewer. It is a handsome owl!

[Diane Miller]

For 1/8 sec (and under some stress) and no time to think about exposure -- wonderful!! I do hope some of the lenses (and your wife) survived.

[Tobie Schalkwyk]

I wish that too, Arash! It was not to be this time - maybe next time! BTW it was much darker than reflected in the image!

Fortunately the lenses were stored with the hoods mounted (backwards) Diane, so they're fine!