Owl in the rain
Short eared owl.
Nikon D300
Nikon 300mm 2.8
1/320@f4
iso 640.
Another old one I found(do apologise if I have posted this before) ,not sure if it's technically right but I do think it shows the conditions of the time of day and the weather in fact when I pressed the shutter wondered if I would get anything, wish I could get the same chance with the gear I have today.
Cloned a few bits off the bottom.
Thanks for looking and your comments and good wishes on my last post.
Keith:
From what I see, the D300 acquitted it self well here. The look back pose, wet feathers, and those mesmerizing eyes work well.
I think the bird could benefit from a bit more contrast, while leaving the bg alone.
Not thrilled with the barbed wire. The post itself is not much of an issue because of the tail softening it so well.
I know, they perch on barb wire fences, so I just need to get over it.
Randy
Last edited by Randy Stout; 08-30-2015 at 02:22 PM.
Well done with the pose, pity it's on the post instead of a snag, but let's face it, capture the moment mother nature provides!! If i might suggest a few tips on making the image a bit stronger.. small tonal contrast ,and detail extractor on the actually bird. Perhaps a slight less room on one or the other side..creates a tad more off center!! regardless, a sweet pose and stare!! ++++++
Thanks Randy I understand what you say re the wire, I could remove it but hey!think I have got used to it, thanks Don not sure about" detail extractor can I do this with cs5? " but a good thought about some more on one side.
Keith.
Hi Keith, love the rain, just provides that icing required and the techs helped in this instance. The look back is cool and those eyes are mesmerising, you feel as if you are being pulled in, like the snake from Jungle book!!!!
The perch is what it is, agree it's not that photogenic, but... I think you'll have to move the other post to this location. Personally I would have gone vertical, with a hint more space below, how was it shot, Portrait/Landscape?
Keith forget Detail Extractor, I think you'll tie yourself up if I'm being honest.
TFS
Steve
Hi Keirh, beautiful owl, nice look back. They can turn their heads 180 degrees as this shows. Lovely colors, techs look good to me. Eyes look sharp, acyually surprising considering the rain. I think vertical is the way to go. Thank you for sharing.
Joe Przybyla
"Sometimes I do get to places just as God is ready to have somebody click the shutter"... Ansel Adams
www.amazinglight.smugmug.com
I would sell my eldest child to have a close-up encounter with a short-eared owl like this.
Eyes are mesmerizing.
My biggest issue with this image is the cloning artifacts at the bottom of the frame. I can see the repetitive pattern of the fence post to the right of the post as well as issues to the left of the post with the wire pattern visible.
Quick fixes in PP.
I like the rain- adds a nice environmental feel to the image.
I could see this as a vertical as well,
Gail
Nice capture Keith,love the rain in the image,its my favourite owl,beautiful eyes,I can see what Gail sees,easly fixed.TFS.
I agree your cloning is a little sloppy! Sorry, better the truth I reckon.
A rectangular crop (vertically) would be ideal.
What a stunning owl and the sharpness, details. The eyes are just sucking me in.
Beautifully done Keith.
Thanks for sharing.
Thanks a lot guys for your comments and all those views. , Gail I rotated the image which called for a bit of cloning at the bottom, don't know how I do it but recon I will ban myself from the clone tool, hope you find a Short Eared Owl and please don't sell the child.Akos give me the truth any day.
Keith.
You can also try using the content-aware fill tool Keith if you have a later version of Photoshop.
Thanks Akos, I should have used this instead of that clone tool.
Hi Keith, love the eye contact here with those lovely large eyes. Great DOF, and the feather detail is showing up nicely, even in the conditions. I do like the colours in the BG, they compliment the Owl nicely. Im fine with the post, but the barbed wire is unfortunate. Comp wise, I too thought of more of a vertical by coming in from both sides.
My gosh, those eyes are superb. Love the streaks of rain, the subtle colors of the background, and yes, I am probably in the minority but I like the barbed wire. Would like it more if rusty. Would love to have this image in my files, but I would present it as a strong vertical with more at the bottom. Cloning evidence noted.
Thanks Stu and Grace, the site where my shots where taken was about 200acres of set aside rough land that is grazed by cattle that is fenced all the way with barbed wire fencing which of course was used by the Owls to rest after hunting, lots of luck with the post and if the wire was old or new, have removed it sometimes but it does not seem right.
Thanks Keith.
Great looking back pose, excellent eye contact, Keith.
The rain adds lot of interest.
Excellent capture and I love the rain. As I write the Tawny Owls are calling...how lovely is that!
Thanks Karl and Adrian much appreciated.
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