Burrowing Owl with Potato Bug

[David Salem]

This is "Chip" I named him because of the chip he has in his beak. My buddy Dave that I was shooting with calls him "Nick" for the same reason. As you can see, we like to have some fun with naming our regular raptors:)
My buddy Dave and I were shooting Chip and Shredder on a Sunday morning a few weeks ago when Chip saw something in the distance and flew off to get it. He flew back to the burrow with this large wild looking potato bug. That's what I used to call them when I was a kid but I think the proper name is "Jerusalem Cricket" Once again, like the shot I posted a few weeks ago with Shredder and the Centipede, we were tickled to have gotten him with such a unique prey item. He picked it up by the head like this for a second, then he started to eat the big mushy bug.
I really like the direct stare he gave us with his eyes well lit and the bug glistening in the sun. Hope you like it.

1DX---600mm---f6.3---ss1/2500---ISO640---HH from truck@8:20am---25% crop

Thanks as always for looking and for your input. I appreciate it.

David

[Jonathan Ashton]

A great shot, super light and detail. He's welcome to the bug, I don't fancy it at all!

[David Salem]

Thanks Jonathan. Pretty ugly bug, isn't it. I was going to caption it "UGLY" or "YIKES"

[Steve Kaluski]

Hi David, love the head on stare and as you say, these owls (like our Little Owls) have a wonderful, almost penetrating stare, I'm pretty sure it must be that they see their reflection in the glass, but then it could be the shutter going off too? This for me has also shown up/highlighted the almost 'onion skin' of the iris (yellow part???) that almost wafer thin layering, identical to our owls, great to see, as often the detail is laking or filled with saturated yellow. I also like the 'aggressive' stance too, great pose and with the bug, well...

Personally I would like a little more room for the subject to breathe, or if you had had the option, shooting vertical, but easier sad with hindsight. All in all another cracking image.

TFS
Steve

[David Salem]

Thanks Steve.
As you probably know I croped this pretty tight to concentrate on the details of the face and eyes and the texture of the potato bug.
A looser composition would work fine but I don't think that it will have the same impact.
I have always liked that orange peel texture to these owls eyes also.
Thanks as always.

[keith mitchell]

Hi David, see where you are coming from with this frame filling image, excellent detail and sharpness on the Owl and the insect, bet it's a pleasure to work with these birds, thanks for giving us a look.

Keith.

[Steve Kaluski]

A looser composition would work fine but I don't think that it will have the same impact.

No worries David, I did see you had cropped the image by 25%.

I have always liked that orange peel texture to these owls eyes also.

Nature is a wonderful thing, but stuff like this (albeit detail) if often missed, guess we are singing from the same hymn sheet.

[Karl Egressy]

It's a huge bug. Great behavior shot, David. It might be a little tight in the frame, though.

[Ákos Lumnitzer]

My only suggestion would be some more room for the feet.
What a cracking shot mate!
Love the bug, the stare and of course the cute little killer of a subject.
Well done! :)

[Bill Dix]

Stunning detail, nicely showcased by the large-in-the-frame presentation. And an awesome bug. Your truck certainly takes you to some great places.

[Joseph Przybyla]

Lovely bird, hideous looking bug. Great image and capture David, thank you for sharing.

[David Salem]

Thanks everyone. I'm glad you like it. I figured everyone would get a kick out of this ugly insect.

I might add some more to the bottom but I don't like seeing to much of the OOF dirt line at the bottom of most frames.

Thanks again.

[John Robinson]

A really fine Owl and prey shot David. Nothing more can be said really. Visible feet would have taken it way over the top.
Great stuff.
John

[William Dickson]

All been said above David. A really fab looking frame. I really like the eyes looking towards us. Good work

Will

[Lyle Gruby]

Just awesome, as everyone else noticed!! "Chip" picked an awesome prey item. I agree with the comments regarding a bit looser crop, and the image looks just a bit oversharpened to me. Can't wait to see more.

[Jim Crosswell]

Excellent image David! I like the huge bug, exposure, details, sharpness and direct stare.

[amir alimoradian]

Great shot David. Excellent Detail and sharpness of a special moment.
Maybe putting the subject in the center of frame would work too.
TFS

[David Salem]

Thanks for the comments everyone!

[arash_hazeghi]

i am late to the game but a superb shot, wish I were there when you got this

[Frank Schauf]

Fantastic image! A real beauty, David.

[David Salem]

Thanks everyone. I appreciate the comments.