A stroke of luck

[Steve Kaluski]

As a few of you know, I really love owls and so I was pleased to see over the last two years a Barn owl flying around and 'quartering' within the arena of the Little owls, as the Barn owls did get a hammering with the wet winters we have had recently. However, this year I was pleasantly surprised that on my way to the the LO's around 5.30-6.00am a Barn owl would fly from the old Willow tree right over me, this began to happen on a regular basis and he/she would then begin to quarter close by, so the BO had set up residency in the Willow tree too, cool! Thinking not much about it apart from how/where to set up later for it whilst shooting the Little owls, this fluffy bundle appeared.

This Barn owl chick is around 50-55 days old and a female. Perhaps her fist forage into the big wide world, who knows, but she enjoyed the sun for almost an hour although constantly battered by the 14-16mph wind.

Thanks to those who viewed & commented on the previous image.

Steve

Subject: Female Barn owl chick (Tyto alba)
Location: UK
Camera: Canon 1DX
Lens: 500f/4 with 1.4 Gitzo tripod/Uniqball head
Exposure: 1/1000s at f/8 ISO800 EV +0.67
Original format: Portrait

[Morkel Erasmus]

This works so well Steve. I love how the sleeping owl is framed by the foliage.
Would work nicely in monochrome too - similar to that leopard image I posted some time ago?

[Daniel Cadieux]

Sweet image here Steve, and as Morkel says, nicely framed by the vegetation. I like the sleeping pose, very peaceful. Did the blowing wind help create openings to photograph through? I'd be tempted to crop a bit left and bottom...personal taste really, and it does work as is.

Hope this situation means more opportunities with this species for you!!

[Randy Stout]

Steve:

Nice capture. I have rarely seen images of barn owl young, so really appreciate it. Do agree with Daniel about a modest crop to reposition her in the frame.

Look forward to more.

Cheers

Randy

[Steve Kaluski]

Did the blowing wind help create openings to photograph through?

Yes Daniel, you can see the odd OOF leaves creeping in, so it was a bit of luck and timing, moving position was not an option, plus the BO would turn it's back towards the wind which did not help either, but that fluffy down around the head was amazing. It could lose some more, just never like loosing too much image content, bolting on the 2x was then too close but worth the option during that time, never a happy medium.

Thanks Morkel & Randy.

[Joe Senzatimore]

I love the framing. Just find it a bit overpowering. Perhaps a little tighter crop.

[Rachel Hollander]

Hi Steve - Your patience paid off. There's a heightened sense of peering into their world by having all the oof foliage. It works as is and would also work with the alternate suggested crop. I hope you'll get some more of this youngster.

TFS,
Rachel

[Steve Kaluski]

Rachel, now you know why I kept quiet and wouldn't say anything.

[Loi Nguyen]

Hi Steve, I saw a barn owl chick only once in an owl box with Mum from a distant. This is a nice find and the crop works well for this sleeping pose. Had you tried to crop more, it would seem too much intruding into a peaceful sleep. I would keep it as is and hope yup will find the chick awake at some other times. TFS. Loi

[Richard Flack]

Cute, intimate image Steve. Nice one! (Rest has been said). Thanks for sharing this one!

[Sanjeev Aurangabadkar]

This is super cute and beautiful Steve. I like the framing, the peaceful pose and foliage around the owl. TFS.

[Marina Scarr]

This is a rare and very special image, Steve! Love the keyhole effect, the preening pose and all the peach fuzz!

[keith mitchell]

Hi Steve ,looks really good to me .Just got off the plane with a bad case of jet lag so will have a better look after some sleep.

Cheers Keith.

[Satish Ranadive]

Steve, wish it was mine. Magnificent and artistic image of sleeping beauty.
Love it.

Regards,
Satish.