Owlet - Close up

[Steve Kaluski]

Nothing much to add to a fairly 'standard' portrait of this Little owlet. The dark brown backdrop is the hollow of the old willow tree they inhabit, being darker & overcast when the shot was taken helped reduce a lot of the mottled backdrop that appears when the light hits early morning. Love the hint of that 'onion skin' layering in the eye.

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

Steve

Subject: Little owlet (Athene noctua) portrait
Location: UK
Camera: Canon 1DX
Lens: 500f/4 with 2x Gitzo tripod/Uniqball head
Exposure: 1/320s at f/11 ISO3200
Original format: Portrait, cropped for presentation
Processed: LRCC 2015 & PSCC 2015

Note: The subject is fully wild and completely unconstrained. Besides the potential impact of my presence, nothing has been done to intentionally alter or affect the ongoing behavior of the subject and, of course, there has been no use of any form of bait or other form of wildlife attractants (including vocalisations) in the capture of this image.

[Sanjeev Aurangabadkar]

Excellent detail and sharpness despite the use of 2X and 3200 ISO Steve. I like the comp and that beautiful eye! TFS.
Sanjeev

[Jonathan Ashton]

Lovely shot Steve - very intimate. The natural circs duly noted! You have super detail in the plumage and eye.

[Michael Hansen]

Very nice, Steve! Lots of detail here! Thanks for sharing.

[adrian dancy]

Excellent image and critical focus. These are adorable and our local population has taken a crash. Were you in some kind of hide?

[keith mitchell]

Beautiful detail Steve and the colours are spot on! IMHO

Keith.

[Bill Dix]

A beautiful portrait. Razor sharp where it counts (amazing how quickly the DOF falls off even at f/11, indicating how close you were). Lovely, simple color palette. I might have considered moving the bird just a sliver to the left, to favor the direction he's looking, but otherwise no nits.

[Loi Nguyen]

Steve, love the 3D feel of this one with excellent details of the feathers. F11 is a good choice. TFS. Loi

[Stu Bowie]

Hi Steve, love the look back fixated stare, and what excellent detail you have brought out. What really amazes me, is the detail in the high - brilliant.

A great result with that high ISO, but there again, with that monster camera, thats childs play.

[Steve Kaluski]

Hi folks, glad you like this one, this is in fact the parent of this years brood, amazing how they mature in a year.

Were you in some kind of hide?

Adrian, yes I was. The hide/blind goes up one or two days prior to shooting, but always a good distance away from the nest site, probably 20-25m, it's just so they get used to the shape/presence of it. I will always plan where it will be sited beforehand and once there, it's not moved for the duration of that times shoot 7-14 days, hence having to deal with light issues, backgrounds etc, as I want to minimise ANYmovement or disruption, keeping a low profile so to speak. Although as time goes by, I might just move a few feet in a particular direction to try and get a better angle. The best one this year was a Cherry picker, and I still could not get to the height of the stack.However, they must be used to the blind by now, as often they are perched on it when I walk to the hide about 6.00am, but they also leave little messages over it too . I never get closer than a 500mm lens as to me there is then enough of a comfort zone, however, as I have experienced recently, if they choose to come closer for whatever reason, then it's on THEIR say so, not mine. certainly I have learnt over the years and with spending a fair amount of time with a good friend the 'art of respect' and the benefits it brings, cramping a subject by short lenses is never ideal, but hey, I've never claimed to be an expert on owls, I just love them and often it can be just as rewarding to sit & watch them. This is the 5th year, fourth in this location.

Sorry to hear about the demise of yours, hopefully there are a few around close by, hard often to detect, hidden often in trees, but I'm sure in time you will locate a breeding pair.
On a side issue, nice to see you posting images too, I always feel it balances the comments side.

Bill, according to the data I was 7.3m away, but with a single AF centre point a little 'governed' with the crop, although a sliver off the LHS isn't to taxing, thanks.

Loi, f/11 isn't something I would choose on the 200-400, the vibration would equal the Liberty bell!!!!

[Mike Poole]

Lovely portrait Steve, amazing the detail now on offer with good technique and processing. It's a lovely little 'coy' pose and the clean BG complements the shot beautifully

Mike

[Gabriela Plesea]

This is superb Steve, any way I look at it!

The loveliest close-up of this beautiful little owl and IMO one of your best of the species so far. Cannot wish for a better pose and the BG is perfect.

You are very modest to call it a "standard" portrait... This would make a stunning cover for that owl book I keep nagging you about:)

Just lovely, I so wish I could grab this little one and put him in my pocket

Wishing you a pleasant evening,

[Satish Ranadive]

Excellent portrait. Wonderful colour pallet.
Love the expression Owlet and composition.

Regards,
Satish.