Little owl - The new generation

[Steve Kaluski]

Over that last 10 days I've just started started to work with my Little owls again. Taking time to locate them after the Winter, not pushing them and getting them used to my presence ensures all comfort zones are not breached and everyone is happy. Seems the parents did not make it or have located to another area, but the two owlets from last year have set-up residency and bother & sister have bonded and from what I have seen from their 'courtship', soon someone will be on the nest, invariably the male. Sitting together you can easily tell what sex they are, as the characteristics are so pronounced, but the female still retains her distance as always, but the male has now become quite confident, but I always work with long lens.

Thanks to those who viewed or posted a comment on the previous thread.

Steve

Subject: Little owl (Athene noctua) head on, facing camera, standing on post
Location: UK
Camera: Canon 1DX
Lens: 200-400f/4 (560mm) Gitzo tripod/Whimberley head MK2
Exposure: 1/1600s at f/6.3 ISO500
Original format: Portrait, very slight crop.
Subject distance: 7.6m
Processed via: LR CC (2015) & PS CC 2014

[Ritesh Nangare]

Lovely bird , looks direct i the camera. awesome light... the perch and details are excellent..... IMO need one round of Highlight/Shadows here will fix the shadow area. here i am done some things according to my choice hope you like it ........ 1) done H/S 2)add some details ,3) Add little bit colour ...... Hope you like it ......

[Joseph Przybyla]

Lovely image Steve, so much like our little owls in Florida. The ones here are more brown, the strong sun bleaches even the feathers on the birds. I agree whole heartedly regarding giving them space and maintaining a distance that is not stressful to the owls. In Florida the owls live in an urban environment inhabiting vacant lots within the city. Volunteers have set up Owl Prowls to watch over and protect the owls from disturbance. Thank you for sharing.

[keith mitchell]

Hi Steve, sure you have enough experience with these Owls to get nice relaxed looking birds without upsetting them, think your original post looks right,Ritesh's post while nice looks a bit crunchy on my gear ,then as you already know I do like the natural look.


Cheers Keith.

[Karl Egressy]

Lovely image Steve, both versions has its own strong points.

[Steve Kaluski]

Hi folks, thanks.

Ritesh, thanks for taking the time and I have NO issue with RP's. I think I'm in agreement with Keith, the RP does look a bit 'crunchy', perhaps partly due to web size and the S/H tool. The facial feather detail is very fine and at this size may appear lacking detail and or darker in key areas which I think you have tried to one up, however many thanks for taking the time, always welcome thoughts & suggestions.

Joseph I've not seen these in more urban locations/city, I guess because of their food supply, primarily rural with open spaces like fields etc, where they can catch, insects, grubs, worms, voles etc. I spent three days just in location and with very 'limited' time in the location, reducing stress and leaving the area for long periods. They are now on their own for a while and as you say, the use of long lens just means everyone is happy. The only big issue I have is with a pair of Kestrels that insist on a fight conflict with the nesting owls, but the owls are feisty and tackle these raptors head on with no quarter.

Many thanks Keith, trust your Kestrels/Owls are OK too, let me know how you are doing.

Cheers guys.
Steve

[Stu Bowie]

Hi Steve, lucky you to have these wonderful subjects close by. Great eye contact here, and a central placement would always work. Just enough perch too. Shadow areas on Owls are always a nuisance, but in this, best left as is.

[Steve Kaluski]

Hi Stu, thanks. I do agree regarding the slight shadows on the face, nothing you can do about the light sadly, but I have just slightly dodged/burn the area on the high res just to marginally open it up, but still retaining the overall look & feel. I think I need to come over and have some of that golden light you have for your own birds.

[Stu Bowie]

I think I need to come over and have some of that golden light you have for your own birds.

Any time mate.

[Rachel Hollander]

Hi Steve - great that you found them again and that he gave you such a nice pose. I agree that the op looks a bit more natural. I am wondering if lightening the darker upper corners so that the gradient in the bg is not as pronounced will improve the image.

TFS,
Rachel

[David Salem]

Nice that the two juvie are getting together Steve. It's the starting of my owl season over here too. Nice looking frame, I like the head on pose and the wood perch. I would open up the left eye a bit more but thats all. Hope to see some babies soon, for both of us!

[Steve Kaluski]

Thanks Rachel & David.

Hope to see some babies soon, for both of us!

Indeed David, as I said, my concerns are with the Kestrels, but also I have fixed commitments in between, so it will be a hit & run situation, not ideal. BTW can you send over some of that nice light you have, saves on the ISO for me.

[David Salem]

Wish I could bottle it and send it over. I feel your pain. I am very fortunate to be where I am on the planet as we get probably over 300 days a year of beautiful sunny weather. I'm a bit spoiled because when we get cloudy weather I usually just sleep in
The truck is waiting with your name on the back seat

[Steve Kaluski]

Hi David, very much appreciated.

The BIG question is why do I keep picking locations where sun is not that prevalent, DOH!!! Thank God for the 1DX, but it does mean when you do have light you can really appreciate those 300 days you have to suffer/injure . Perhaps we should do a BPN location swop, would be really interesting to see how people get on with capturing the moment over here in the UK, I'm sure Jonathan & I could pullout some real corker locations.

The truck is waiting with your name on the back seat

The crate of beer will be delivered on a performance basis only