Barred Owl shaking off from bath

[Ed Kelly]

Photographed at Francis Beidler Forest. The owl had just come up from under the walkway. I had noticed two of them bathing. I am not sure if this one was washing up after a kill.
I believe there is still some residual blood around it's beak. This photo is taken just after a quick shake. The owl is perched on a Cypress Knee. The forest has Cypress trees which are
over 1000 years old.

Lighting was a little difficult,but thought it was unique enough to post.

D810 & Tamron 150-600mm @ 550mm
ISO 2000
wide open @ f/6.3 1/200 second
indirect fill-flash used

NR for background, catch-lights removed from eyes, background cleaned up

Thanks for looking

Ed

[John Robinson]

Great behaviour stuf Ed. Sometimes more important than image IQ in my honest opinion.
Good one.
John

[gail bisson]

I like the action portrayed.
Nice and sharp owl considering your shutter speed!And the SS made for interesting droplet patterns.
What do you mean by indirect fill flash?
gail

[Ákos Lumnitzer]

Very neat behavioural shot!