The 'early ' owl...

[Steve Kaluski]

It's been a bit of a 'roller coaster' month, so it was good to get back for a few days and also back into the BPN saddle.

Taken towards mid morning and the light was turning into more harsher conditions, the male has been out frantically hunting, so we opened up a small stretch of freshly plough pasture to add to the mix nearby the nest site. He stopped off on one of the hay bales I arranged to be left on route to the nest to show off (I think ) his freshly caught prize. Still wriggling and soil stuck to the earthworm this was a nice & hopefully, tasty morsel?

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

Steve

Subject: Little owl (Athene noctua) with earthworm, mid morning, head on standing on hay bale
Location: UK
Camera: Canon 1DX
Lens: 500f/4 with 1.4x Gitzo tripod/Uniqball head
Exposure: 1/2000s at f/8 ISO1600
Original format: Landscape, slight crop
Processed: LRCC 2015 & PSCC 2015

[dennis greenwood]

Sorry Steve ,this one doesn't work for me, its not the hay its the worm in the hay ,the little owls party piece is the grab the worm in his beak then drag the talon up the worm to clean any soil off that I like to see,its all subjective I know but not for me this one ,technically wise it looks good but I am no expert at PP

[Karen Pleasant]

Steve,

I like the pose of the owl with the worm. I think the owl's nose and eyes are reasonably sharp. The image just seems a little flat to me. Perhaps try brightening those eyes and adding a little contrast to the owl to help the owl command a little more attention in the frame. I also think cropping about 50% of the hay bale off and some off the right hand side would help the composition. I think you've got a nice shot here, it just needs a little punch.

[Ákos Lumnitzer]

Light was getting on a bit, but you handled well. A little lightening of the face may help.
Still quite a lovely image. I am fine with the worm, but as Karen suggested, maybe lose some of the bale.
Thanks for sharing mate. Good to have you back!

[keith mitchell]

Steve if I was going to make any change I would brighten the birds right eye just a little just the way you told me, birds colour is perfect IMHO ,like this a lot.

Keith.

[Gabriela Plesea]

Hello Steve,

So glad to have you back, and this is such a TREAT! ( I now refer to this wonderful frame, as well as that tasty luscious morsel Wol has just caught...)

Early bird catches the worm, LOL, perfect framing and composition, the inclusion of hay/straw and the low POV add a lovely 3D feel to this image. Cute pose from the subject, was he winking at you or perhaps the worm was wriggling around a lot?

Super sharp, great detail, lovely colours. I like the way you take into consideration the direction of light when you process your images.

I enjoyed this tremendously - superb work, always something to learn from you, thank you so much for sharing!

Warmest regards,

[David Salem]

I'm glad you are still playing with your owls and I like the head on stare with the worm in the beak. That's a nice green BG too. I agree about eyes, especially the right one but I think some selective lightening will help to connect us with the owl better. Nice capture and looking forward to more Steve.

[Steve Kaluski]

Hi Dennis, I want to shoot as it comes, not set-up with the perfect pose, perch, BKG, that's old hat, boring and often too sterile, I'll take it as it comes from whatever direction it appears. No set-up, bated, just a case of being there. I have truck loads of images with the LO and the talons gripping the earthworm, as a few on BPN have already seen, I've just not chosen to post them. Lkewise a lot of previous images by others have been with flaccid, dead, limp earthworms in manicure backdrops which to me looses the spirit of the moment and for me, not how I want to shoot, nor do the photo libraries want to see. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to put a camera up 6ft away on a perfect perch & backdrop to click away with a baited prop.

Hi Karen, I'm not one for cropping tight from the original capture as I want to retain IQ and not pixel bash, I'll always try within reason to frame in camera. I'm happy with the overall balance of the histogram as it doesn't push things, likewise the contrast will just clog things. Sharpening on the web is only a perceptual thing, it's the RAW that is key. But appreciate the feedback.

Hi Akos, BPN can become a family, albeit an extended one, trust me it can be key times, however it's nice to be back.

Hi Keith, I will try to retain as much of the original image as shot, yes there are times where we tweak things to 'enhance/improve' the image, but rightly/wrongly I will leave as is, but whether that is correct, we'll... BTW I will be testing some new kit in the next coming weeks, if it works then I'll let you know, may help with the Kestrels, or food for thought next year, it's proving awesome at present!

Gabriela, you are always a great injection into the arm with your comments, and I guess you are one of the few I have released more images than posted, to share the experience and so you are one of the few that really have lived the moment along with me. I do keep certain stuff away from the outside world because I have to, or just don't want to share at this time, the direction I'm taking, keeping ones powder dry. BPN is a great inspiration to others and someone like David S are always an inspiration and elevating the bar, but we all have a duty to help others progress & develop and you do it, oh so well.

Hi David, as per my comment above, I think it comes down to personal preference, but I do think we can learn from each other. I just wish we had the constant light you have with your raptors & owls.

Thanks folks, I'll be back!

[dennis greenwood]

Hello Steve ,I have four established successfully little owl sites three have never been baited ,over 20 years of observing them and using my knowledge and field craft to get images ,I also get invited to do lots of talks at natural history society's on the little owl that's how far I have come with them, and take it from me I can spot a baited little owl from a million miles away ,what did annoy me is you trying to tell me the female little owl did all the hunting while the male sat on the nest ,I did correct you on this but you didn't come back to acknowledge the fact that you were in correct on what you said ,sorry but just being honest

[Joseph Przybyla]

Cute little bugger even if it is eating a worm. The stare has it, what a look he is giving you. Next year I shall have to work on capturing the ones in Florida feeding. Thank you for sharing, Steve.

[Steve Kaluski]

Hi Dennis, as you can appreciate, we do not always receive ever reply to threads and often cannot reply to every thread reply due to personal commitments, but as you can see, I do my best in replying (10k +) compared to just posting. From my perspective I can only go from a conversation I had a long time ago with the RSPB, if I'm wrong, I'm wrong, no big deal. With regard to this shot I can tell you it wasn't baited, if it was I would have disclosed it, however I'm not going to get into a debate, for me, it's cut and dry.

Cheers
Steve

[Steve Kaluski]

Hi Joseph, you have a great site and good grounding to build on for next year, as it seems the Burrowing Owl is becoming quite a celeb here, based on the numerous posting, although the Vineyard in CA do make exceptional wine too. Good luck.

[dennis greenwood]

Hi Steve ,I am not wanting a debate about wethere the shot was baited or not ,I have my views on that and shall keep it to myself ,however the only thing I find strange and this could be unique to your little owl is the fact that he stopped off before going to the nest ,something I have never seen a little owl do in all the years I have watched them, I am not saying it cannot happen as they will stop if they hear or spot something alien to them ,normally the predator is to quick for them and down them before they have time to react, something I witnessed only a couple of days ago ,sorry if you think I am being at bit annoying but I have a big passion for the little owl and its not just about photographing them its there behaviour as well for me

[Steve Kaluski]

Hi Dennis, I like the exchange and informative info and do agree with a lot you have said. However, as I have stated before, this location seems not to be the norm, as the nest site is shared with both a pair of Barn owls (very elusive) and huge number of Jackdaws nest, now flown. The pair of LO's are plagued with the additional harassment by a pair of Kestrels too. What has also been happening whilst hunting is that the male is being challenged by Swallows in the same way Crows mob Buzzards as they too, hunt at key times in this arena. He will fly direct to the nest, but being 'dive bombed' at times he will land on the hay bale close by with either a whole worm or remnants not fortunate to see a vole yet, he certainly seems happier there than when on the ground.

Like you, I too have a huge passion for these guys as it stems from working with them over the years, keeping a good distance from the nest site and them by using long lens and minimal disturbance, understanding them with truck loads of hours put in over the course of a day, no harassment in any form and ultimately, having/providing a health respect. This could run and run in exchange of like mind thoughts and findings, but some may get bored, LOL.

[dennis greenwood]

Kestrels will mug the owls and swallows will dive bomb the little owl ,jackdaws can and will disturb the little owl nest as will magpies ,both the magpie and jackdaw will always point you in the direction were the owls will store their prey (larder) but as you say it can go on on and on and maybe boring to others ,also a lot of people believe (even chris packam mentioned it) that little owls were re-introduced to the UK ,not entirely true due to recent fossil finds in Derbyshire .....but that's another subject

[Gabriela Plesea]

Thank you Steve - such kind words from you.

I consider myself extremely privileged to have witnessed - even remotely - those wonderful experiences you have had with the owls. Among those images you shared with me I do have my favourites...those are the ones where, in terms of techs, you have made (IMO) perfect choices in terms of shooting as well as processing, but most importantly, you have managed to capture the most expression and behaviour from the owls. I still believe we should write a story about those amazing little creatures:) I have come to know these owls so well and became so fond of them, I can no longer see certain things (eg. a watering can, a spade, a tripod, a bale of hay, etc...) without being reminded of our little feathered friends:)

In terms of your approach to photography, I know not many individuals with so much respect for nature such as yourself. I have genuine admiration for your work and your ethics - you have played, and still play a great part in my development as a photographer and I take this opportunity to show my gratitude for that which you have taught me.

Warmest regards,

[Andre Pretorius]

Hi Steve

The light was coming from the left of the LO, so one eye has to be in the shade..

To me the hay occupy to much space in the OP and a bit bright, distracts some.

This 5x7crop may dictate a smaller print..., but IMHO it leads to direct eye contact first, then to the wriggly, the FG less important.
WDYT?

[Rachel Hollander]

Hi Steve - great eye contact and detail here. Excellent bg. I would eliminate the stray piece of hay coming in on the right edge a little above the bale. I would do it by cropping but you can do it by cloning.

TFS,
Rachel

[Stu Bowie]

Hi Steve, these guys always seem to have the most unusual expressions, and I like this " what you looking at " especially with a beak full of worm. I envy you with the opportunity to be able to photograph these guys ( ok jealous ) as I dont have many Owls of any sorts in my files.