Avian Image of the Week for the week ending Feb 21st, 2014: Ashleigh Scully - Barred Owl

[Daniel Cadieux]

Congratulations Ashleigh!

Hi -

This is a Barred Owl I photographed from our car window in the Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge in New Jersey. It was taken on one of the many snow days from school I've had recently.

I went looking for Barred Owls and got lucky when we saw this one fly far away and land on this snowy tree. I did not have my TC with me so I had so do a bigger crop than I wanted to.

It was pretty dark so I decided to open up to f/4 for the extra light instead of more depth of field. Since it was so far away I didn't think that was too important. My ss was high in case I could get him flying.

Canon EOS 5DMark III
Canon EF 500mm f/4L

ISO 1000
1/1250 s
f/4

I did some selective brightening of the owl and sharpening, too. I cropped about 40% off the photo. I am worried about the oof blob above the bird - I can't tell if this is just the oof trees or a water spot on my lens.

Thank you for looking, Ashleigh

[Ashleigh Scully]

Thank you so much, Daniel Im so excited! I photographed this Barred Owl on a snow day and I'll never forget it.

Thank you again and I hope to be posting more photos really soon, Ashleigh :)

[Jamie Douglas]

Well done Ashleigh

[Marina Scarr]

I am SO excited about your IOTW, Ashleigh! This image so deserves the honor. Good job and looking forward to more of your images in the future.

[gail bisson]

Well done Ashleigh!!

[David Salem]

a big congratulations Ashleigh I didn't see this one on the regular forum..
I love the whole scene great work

[Jim Crosswell]

Congratulations Ashleigh!

[Diane Miller]

Beautiful! Congratulations!