Killer stare

[Steve Kaluski]

Well the two owlets are growing up fast and big noticeable changes each time I visit the location. Still not sure about what age they reach sexual maturity, as both are using the conservation next box I put up at the end of last year, plus one is taking food into the box, so...

Giving them respect and not encroaching on their comfort zone I kept with the 500 & 1.4 & 2x, but I wasn't necessary it seems, as the following 10 days I just kept with the 200-400 as they felt comfortable to come closer so I have tried the other side of the Willow tree, although they will use anything as a vantage point which I hopefully will illustrate this week. Weather has been very mixed as Mr Shepherd knows , with torrential showers and then, bright, harsh light, so ISO was up & down like a yoyo.

I've cropped a little tighter on this one, as originally I had some 'mush' in the FG. Might include the whole original just to see the thoughts, as we often go down a single thought, so it's good to get additional feedback. He/she obviously had a good kill that day, blood stained right foot, with a hint also on the left part of the face as viewed.

Cheers
Steve

Subject: Little owl on flagstone (Athene noctua)
Camera: Canon 1DX
Lens: 200-400f/4 Gitzo tripod/Unique ball head
Exposure: 1/500s at f/8 ISO800 ​

[Mike Poole]

Great stare straight down the lens which suits the crop perfectly. I'm not sure if this needs to be very slightly brightened - just a touch

[Simon Wantling]

Stunning photo. Really like it.

[Daniel Cadieux]

Steve, this looks great. Love the stare, comp, perch. Pretty nifty BG too. A bit of directional lighting that has helped enhanced the mood of the image. Don't want to mess with this fella eh!

[Loi Nguyen]

Steve, this is a very nice image with those large pupils staring at you. Very nice and sharp. I don't think it looks dark. I may take just a sliver off on the right. Loi

[Steve Kaluski]

Thanks folks.

I'm trying to back off now on getting that, 'look to camera' as it's grabbing their attention which is never ideal, as it can easily spook them, but they seem to settle down once you know the signs. Plus, gaining their trust is oh so important, likewise being able to give distance between you and the subject and not encroaching on their comfort zone, through the use of long lenses, Loi, keep that 500!

A bit of directional lighting that has helped enhanced the mood of the image.

Daniel, light here is always a premium, often a feast or a famine, this was EV+0.67, but quite often ISO1600-2500 which has lead on occasions to some silly, basic settings i.e. 1/5000 sec, but hey... not quite up there with your & Arash's Snowy's though.

[Joseph Przybyla]

Lovely little owl, and as you wrote "killer stare". They so much resemble our Burrowing Owls in Florida. Thank you for sharing.

[Andy Shepherd]

I think your choice of composition on this one is spot on IMO, Steve. That stare is really special too, and I really like the perch, the texture of the stone is very appealing.

[Marina Scarr]

Your perch and green BG, along with that stare really make for a powerful image.

[Steve Kaluski]

Thanks guys, Andy they come from good old Yorkshire stock!

Thanks Marina, have not quite achieved the cuteness of you owlets yet, but hopefully given time...

[Andreas Liedmann]

Hi Steve another very nice owl image . I actually prefer this or other natural perches to your garden tools or metal perches . Subjects are the same but the perch makes the difference , on the other hand if i could get a decent shot of them on a garden fork , i would take it….
I like the image design as presented , but would like to see the "Mush" version, too.
Image has your usual high PP standard, good job.

TFS Andreas

[Steve Kaluski]

I like the image design as presented , but would like to see the "Mush" version, too.

Thanks for reminding me Andreas, this is the FF, with the mush! I still think the jury is out on this one, on which way to go?

[Andreas Liedmann]

Andreas you did a good job as reminder , LOL.

Actually i would take the Mush version adds more depth to the frame , simply because the subject is staring somewhere into the Mush, just my take.

Cheers Andreas