Pygmy Owl Head on

[Roy Priest]

Nikon D7100, 1/320 @ F4.5, 1/3 EV, ISO 1600, 500mm F4. lens

[Ian Wilson]

Another great view of this gorgeous little bird. Looks a bit noisy and there seems to be some kind of selection artifact on either side of the head at about the level of the eyes - nothing that can't be easily fixed. Otherwise a splendid image. Regards, Ian

[Loi Nguyen]

Lovely portrait. Saw what Ian said about the hallow around the head. I could also see a vertical crop for this one. Loi

[Don Railton]

Beautiful.... I see halo and I think there is a bit of blue in the whites also.

DON

[William Dickson]

Another beautiful image Roy. I know this one has a better HA, but I still like your first image of this bird better Good work

[Binu John]

Fabulous shot! Excellent pose, details and eye contact. Well done!

[keith mitchell]

Roy I know this is how it should pose and it is very nice, but the first one made a lasting impression on me, all a matter of personal choice.

Keith.

[Tobie Schalkwyk]

Beautiful shot, Roy! Lovely stare & details!

I usually prefer to keep the ISO's lower than 800 when using my D7100 but you've proved that I might be too cautious of raising it a bit higher when needed. I take a wild guess though that you've done some PP to reduce noise?

[Stu Bowie]

Hi Roy, Some great advice from the guys above. Good eye contact here, and those eyes pop nicely. I do like the two tone BG which compliments the Owls colours, and Im always amazed how our feathered friends can perch on such 'flimsy' perches.

[Steve Kaluski]

Hi Roy, personally I prefer the previous one, a little different.

If this is a crop then zooming out a little so there is more room for the subject to breathe I feel won't hurt, it's a little BIF for my taste and a little tight to the LHS & top. Again cracking BKG, but the noise in the feathers indicates to me you have lightened the image in the dark./shadow areas, look to +++ the EV next time, but watch your SS. Still has traces of Blue, looks cleaner without and a simple fix.

TFS
Steve

[Sidharth Kodikal]

What a cool owl Roy. Nice dainty perch for this plump fellow. I think I'd try a vertical if possible and show more of the perch below.

[gail bisson]

I asked for an image with both eyes and you delivered!!
I would go with a vertical crop for this image.
good advice above!
Gail

[Jim Crosswell]

I like the eye contact, delicate perch and composition wise I would go vertical as well. Beautiful owl Roy.

[David Salem]

Another vote for a vertical. Great looking frame of this cute little guy. Techs look good and some minor cleanup around the head will polish this one off well. Great capture and well done getting out there

[Frank Schauf]

Beautiful portrait, great details and eye contact, Roy.

[arash_hazeghi]

Awesome Roy! love the eye contact and BG! wish I had seen him!

[John Robinson]

Both good to me. I,m finding that the D7100 can be a bit hard on noise at above 800 unless you get everything right. Could be that lack of the sensor filter ?? I am sure I had less noise problems with the 700o and even the D200.
Must do some experimenting
Great shot anyway.
JohnR

[Roy Priest]

Thanks everyone, unfortunately I am at my place in Arizona now and I don't have access to the files of the owl to do any updates. I'll do them when I return home in Feb. and repost then.