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Thread: Great Gray Owl

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    Default Great Gray Owl

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    Another owl in Northern Minnesota this winter that I was able to observe thanks to the excellent reporting of Jason Mandich...thanks punk. He also taught me that you can tell this is a young bird by the pointy ends to the tail feathers...smart guy that Jason...No attractants used for this image. Canon7d, Sigma50/500os, iso800, f8, 1/160, tiny crop for composition, selective sharpening to the subject only. Comments and critiques welcome.
    Regards,
    Shawn Zierman

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    Excellent image Shawn! I like how you balanced the composition between the tree, owl and owl's focus. The IQ looks great. I like the winter setting and dark forest feel. Another image to print and hang on the wall.

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    Super Moderator arash_hazeghi's Avatar
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    I like the inclusion of habitat and the frosty BG, good exposure. IMO it would have been stronger with the owl looking at the camera. I might consider cloning the OOF tree trunk on the left as the bokeh is bit harsh


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    This is a beautiful and well-composed scene. I personally love the owl's glaze downward. IQ is very good, the owl chose a great perch. I'm of 2 minds about the OOF tree on the left. On one hand it gives some balance, but I do wish it were less in focus.

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    Lifetime Member Mike Poole's Avatar
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    Nice scenic shot here - I like it a lot. A nicer head angle would push this on even more - is this a location you can return to and spend some time with? If so I'm very jealous!

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    really cool bird to find and then get a nice image. Nice gaze captured

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    Great image Shawn. I use to work in northern Alberta out in the middle of no-where. I would always stumble across this owl, but back then I didn't have a camera with me. Ahh the opportunities I missed...

    I would try to quiet down the background. But I love the pose looking down. The sigma 50-500 does have harsh bokeh, my old 150-500 was the same.

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    BPN Member Robert Kimbrell's Avatar
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    A beautiful scene, The Owl looks so good in that Winter environment, The stare down works here, But I would prefer a look at the camera.
    Robert Kimbrell



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    Lifetime Member gail bisson's Avatar
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    This is excellent.
    I have to echo Lyle's sentiments exactly.
    Lovely winter scene and what a perch he picked for himself!
    I would also take a sliver off the top and a sliver off the bottom,
    Gail

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    Lifetime Member David Salem's Avatar
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    I think the comp is perfect. Gives a good look at everything without missing anything. The stare is great as looks like it is hunting.
    Not sure why we think that every frame should have the bird looking right at the viewer. I like the hunting scenes and the just gazing off into the distance shots too.
    The first thing I thought when I saw this was to remove the OOF tree in the BG. The techs and details look great. I like that bit of info on the tail feathers. Makes scene as it hasn't worn off the little bit of down left on the end of its tail. Nice owl collection you're getting Shawn.
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    Excellent image in habitat. Very nice pose, great perch and superb composition.

    Regards,
    Satish.

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    Lifetime Member Marina Scarr's Avatar
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    I absolutely love this image as is. The included environment is awesome, and I love that he is gazing down b/c you know he is doing what he does best...hunt! The touch of snow is a huge plus. Luck you!
    Marina Scarr
    Florida Master Naturalist
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