Whiskered Screech-Owl

[Walker Noe]

I am excited to be back on BPN learning after a long hiatus, and after putting in work learning new skills. I have become obsessed with finding and photographing owls. Here is a Whiskered Screech-Owl in Madera Canyon, Arizona, 2015. This individual was calling rather later than usual, at about midnight. I located the owl by ear, and found it perched conveniently at around eye level, unobstructed, at about 20 feet away. It was actually my first photo opportunity with this species.

Nikon D7100, 300mm f4, f/7.1, 1/500 SS, ISO 500, SB-910 flash TTL at -1 1/3 stops. Handheld.

Do you think the crop works as a field-guide type shot, or is it too tight? I am on the fence. Comments and critiques much appreciated.

PP: Levels adjustment, sharpen, slight crop, very slight saturation on eyes, burn on distracting BG brances, and removal of small eye catchlights.

[Tobie Schalkwyk]

Well, I lift my hat to someone taking night shots with a D7100 which requires you not to go too high on the ISO's! I guess you've practiced these type of shots a lot before and that's why it worked for you. Your settings show that you've played safe (complying with the reciprocal rule, low ISO's) to maximize the chances of a successful shot. Well done on that!

Just curious: how did you go about focussing this?

You might perhaps zoom out just a touch with the crop but this one is quite fine in my books.

Beautiful shot of a beautiful bird!

[Walker Noe]

Thanks Tobie. I was birding with my little brother, whom I am teaching photography (he shoots on my D5100), and we took turns with a low power flashlight illuminating the owl so the other could focus. We both used autofocus. Yes, the flash took care of most of the light requirement, allowing me to get a sharp and fairly noise-free shot. Thanks for your input!

Also, I always limit my owl flash shots at night. That means I have to really have my settings dialed in before I shoot. Often, I take many frames of day roosting owls, but with this guy, I took about 15 over a 45 minute period. It did not flush even once. Although the owls do not mind flash, I disturb them as little as possible. I took many underexposed blurry shots of other species before figuring out settings that worked.

Walker

[Tobie Schalkwyk]

I was birding with my little brother, whom I am teaching photography (he shoots on my D5100), and we took turns with a low power flashlight illuminating the owl so the other could focus. I took many underexposed blurry shots of other species before figuring out settings that worked.

Walker

TFS all of this Walker! As they say: practice makes perfect!

[haseeb badar]

Hi Walker --- Certainly well done with the equipment u had , nicely composed as well . the branch appears to be wet , was that the case or the appearance is due to taming down of highlights ?
TFS !

[Ákos Lumnitzer]

Tobie,
Night photography is actually much easier generally, as the flash provides all the light you ever need and freezes the moment and I often get away with very slow SS even at really long Fl.
The closer you get, the lower ISO you can use (though I never really go lower than 400).
I do a lot of night shooting and my standard settings are:
manual mode
ISO 400 - 800
f/8
1/125th (I've gotten away with 1/30th and 1/15th even)
flash usually with a better beamer especially if the subject is further than about 6-8 meters.
changing EC on flash changes exposure (in ETTL mode)
However, I, too, don't take shot after shot after shot as I watch the animal I am photographing for signs of stress etc.
If it is not cooperative than I let it be. Lucky, we do have some quite tolerant wildlife in my neck of the woods that are nocturnal.


This image really works well for me in all aspects. Perfect field guide image IMO.
TFS

[WillieHall]

I heard one of these last spring in that canyon but could not find. Thanks for revealing its good looks. Owls are a tough assignment as I have several friends that study them. I am taking notes on all your comments....Flammulated Owls next up for me here in CA. Thanks to you all and yes, ethics are very important with all owls at night!

[Tobie Schalkwyk]

Tobie, Night photography is actually much easier generally, as the flash provides all the light you ever need and freezes the moment ...

Thanks for sharing all of the info Ákos! I was asking because I have a spotted owl which perches on my roof every night. I want to take a proper shot of it sometime. Then the real challenge - taking a shot of it as it flies over my head down to the ravine below. It will probably mean pre-focussing and trying to get an extended DOF to ensure an in-focus subject. But that's a story for another day...

[Eric Dienesch]

Nice owl, but for me too much flashlight, that i can see in the picture.
It does not look naturally, much more like an "artificially" item,
sorry.