Pole position

[Steve Kaluski]

Owls love perches and this is a new vantage point for them. Not that far away from their hunting ground, but it still provides an excellent lookout. The light was starting to get harsh, taken just after 10.00am, but the shadow of the pole has helped a little, allowing only the light to glance across the side of the head where he/she has leant forward. I do however like the dappled light of the hedgerow.

As both will incubate the eggs, if they have any this year, it's still hard to tell who is who.

Thanks to those who swung by & commented on the previous image, cheers.

Cheers
Steve

Subject: Little owl on telegraph pole (Athene noctua)
Camera: Canon 1DX
Lens: 500f/4 plus 1.4x HH
Exposure: 1/1250s at f/8 ISO1600 ​(FF on width)

[Andreas Liedmann]

Hi Steve all is looking good as usual from the technical POV . With hindsight i would say you should have moved a bit to the left to avoid the lighter sky blotches to get a more even BKG.If this is taken out of the hide , you should attach tires to the same .

I might loose some from top and bottom of the frame to get a more tighter view, unless you prefer the wide one , but that is a minor thing.This highlight on the owl adds a nice touch and makes this for me.

I still prefer natural perches like the stone or the log in previous images , though.

TFS Andreas

[Steve Kaluski]

Hi Andreas, similar to your location, light was to unpredictable especially at this time of year and this was a moment you have to take before they go or do something silly, like look away, or other Owl behaviour.

you should attach tires to the same

Andreas, it's not a circus act with hoops & rings of fire to jump through, LOL this is a new spot I found and trying to get a position not looking up is hard and gaining his/her acceptance/trust is demanding. Probably moving the frame down would have been better, but you take your chances. Found an old discarded item close by to this which I think works, we will see, but also looked at another angle for something new, you know I like, eye level & getting low & dirty.

I still prefer natural perches like the stone or the log in previous images , though.

I agree, but I do have reasons for what I'm doing so we will see, if they have formed a bond, then it's full on with them in the next coming months.

[Andreas Liedmann]

Steve as you said, saying this from a comfy chair, appreciate the additional info about location , it helps .

Cheers Andreas

[Stu Bowie]

Hi Steve, love the inquisitive stare, and you have done well with the exposure considering where he is perched. Comp wise, I would take a bit off the top.

Have a great trip, hope you see lots, and looking forward to catching up after your 'safari'.

[Steve Kaluski]

Thanks Stu.

Have a great trip, hope you see lots, and looking forward to catching up after your 'safari'.

Will do, and yes certainly looking forward to the catch up, well overdue, although I gather you are in the chair for the first round of drinks

I think Passepartout has you details, so we should at least confirm the 'eagle has landed' this week.

[Grace Scalzo]

The thumbnail doesn't do this this image justice, so glad that I opened it up and looked. The dappled light works well, but a broswer scroll to trim from the top stregthens it by eliminating some of the bright spots from the frame, IMO. Cute little guy (or gal?) and the eye contact with you is nice too.

[Sidharth Kodikal]

Beautiful bird and I like a look at those talons. To be honest, the shadows and the pole aren't quite working for me in this one. Looking forward to more.

[christopher galeski]

Hi Steve,like the peeping pose and BG,tech's spot on,but I am not a fan of man made perches',I'm only jealous,watching one this morning,but could not get a shot of him.

[Gabriela Plesea]

Hello Steve!

Love your owlet series!

I really like your framing and presentation here. The crop really appeals to me, perhaps because it helps me realise how small the subject is... Indeed most of us prefer natural perches, at the same time one must remember that the natural habitat of so many species is shrinking. On the other hand, it is great to see that the human environment can accomodate some wild creatures and we (humans) can live side by side with them. To my mind this is what this image is about, set aside the fact that it looks impeccable to me in terms of processing.

I always like your thinking behind your images Steve, and I have learnt a lot from you, just by taking the time while viewing, to ask myself "what was he trying to achieve here and how did he go about it?". I think most the time I am not far off with my conclusions, but even when I am, it is still a revelation to find meaning and intention behind your work, and not just a well processed image.

Warmest regards,

[Steve Kaluski]

Thanks folk, the lens was the 200-400, NOT the 500 as stated.

Thanks you Gabriela, I feel very humbled by your reply, I'm thankful that there are no webcams when you log in. I must admit, I'm not 100% on the presentation, but it's the end file and when used bigger, I'm more interested in, going if possible to 1200px high would be great, but there are limitations. All these images are from what's around the location and they do not, as you say, distinguish between nature & man made, if it's suits their purpose, they will use it and it has to look right too IMHO when shooting.

Sorry not to hook up with you & Andre Gabriela, but will try to work on something whilst we are out here for the next future trip.

Cheers guys.

[Gabriela Plesea]

Thank you Steve , enjoy your trip, hope you have great sightings and lovely weather! Should weather dissappoint at any time, remember - there's always sunny Hluhluwe

[Steve Kaluski]

Should weather dissappoint at any time, remember - there's always sunny Hluhluwe

I think our Cessna has enough milage to cover the distance, plus it's only carrying the three of us and all the gear so if the weather turns bad we will make a pitstop seeking shelter & sun, tell Andre to breakout the BBQ thanks.

[Gabriela Plesea]

...and did I tell you there's an airstrip just down the road from our home? The antipoaching guys use it all the time. Although the garden is so big that I would not bother with the airstrip, you could land next to the log house BBQ always ready here, fridge full of goodies and South African wine on tap