Florida Burrowing Owl

[Joseph Przybyla]

I was fortunate to get close enough without disturbing this male Burrowing Owl on my trip south in April. Comments and critique welcomed and appreciated. Thank you for viewing.

Nikon D7000
Nikon 80-400mm F/4.5-5.6 VRII AF-S ED shot at 400mm (600mm FFE)
1/500 F/5.6 Matrix Metering + 2/3 EV ISO 1100, camera on a monopod
Post processed in Lightroom 6 and Photoshop Elements 10, blended a couple spots in the background
Cropped for composition

[William Dickson]

Love the stare here Joe. Lovely details on the bird and a nice BG. Am I seeing a slight blue cast here? Maybe my monitor. Good capture and thanks for sharing

Will

[Ákos Lumnitzer]

I am in two minds about this kind of crop. I'd personally prefer a tight (head or head/shoulders) portrait or more of a loose, full bodied shot. This is kind of neither here nor there. But that is very subjective anyway and is only my own view.

Really nice details and I love the eyes. Very cool species, one which I hope to photograph someday.

[gail bisson]

Great details and IQ.
Perfect exposure.
I am not sure about the crop/comp and agree with Akos.
Still an excellent shot,
Gail

[Jim Crosswell]

I like the exposure, sharpness, eyes and details. I agree with Akos as well regarding composition. Very well done Joe.

[arash_hazeghi]

Excellent portrait, sharp with good details and a nice BG. agree re composition that has room for improvement

TFS

[Steve Kaluski]

Hi Joseph, looks like things are going well in both shooting and PP. Agree on the eye contact and a nice clean backdrop, going tighter I think will work, but dependent on IQ.

TFS
Steve

[Joseph Przybyla]

Thanks everyone for viewing, commenting and offering suggestions to improve the image, much appreciated.