Northern Pygmy Owl with Vole

[Moe Ali]

You could imagine my excitement when I found out that a Northern Pygmy Owl was sighted at a park near my neighbourhood. We haven't had a sighting since 2011, and even then they are a rare find. After two trips I basically lucked out with this little guy just before he decided to have lunch.

He was easy to find, I just used my binoculars and looked for the rare herd of long telephoto lenses . I tell you this little guy is like a celebrity around here now.

I was able to get a few shots before he started having his meal, and then he decided to fly off to a higher perch.

Comments and feedback really appreciated. I find I struggle with cropping and editing my final images. Sometimes I over sharpen, or crop off too much, or over expose. And it could be my monitors.

Thanks for any tips you can provide.


Canon 7D Mark II
Canon 300mm F4 + 1.4x tele = 420mm
ISO 800
f7.1
1/400
+1/3 compensation
Hand-held

[Binu John]

Wonderful shot! Excellent light, exposure, perch, BG and details. Well done and TFS.

[John Robinson]

Great stuff! Size of the vole shows how small the owl is. Well done.
JohnR

[Tim Harding]

Looks like you got the crop and composition right this time Moe - well done. I love the perch, and the exposure looks good. The belly feathers look a little soft to me, but that could just be my work monitor here.

[Sanjeev Aurangabadkar]

Wonderful image Moe. I like the composition, the Vole adds interest and the pose is really nice. Interesting perch too!

[William Dickson]

Very nice Moe. Good details and colours on both the owl and it's prey. I love the expression on the birds face. Very nice, good work

[Doug Brown]

Nicely composed and excellent sharpness. Good eye contact with the vole, but would have liked better eye contact with the owl.

[David Salem]

Great looking frame Moe. Awesome that you found this little guy and with a vole to boot. The techs look good but I wish for a less steep angle and if this little guy looked down it would have lessened that look. The vole is in perfect position too. Well done