The Tree Hugger

[Marina Scarr]

This image depicts the same Barred Owlet "branching" as in my last 2 posts. Here the owlet is quite winded and taking a break from its first journey up a tree. I could actually see its little body heaving from exertion. As you can see, it grips onto the bark with its talons, its wings and also at times with its beak. Looking back, I consider this to have been an exhilarating and frantic shoot. The action was fast, the terrain was rough, there wasn't much available light and the angles were steep. I like how the owlet is gazing out over its new, higher view.

Canon 1D4, Canon 500L
F5, 1/320sec, ISO 800, manual mode
Feisol tripod, Jobu head

Thanks so much for all of your comments and critiques.

[Jim Crosswell]

Excellent series on this owlets experience! I like the outstretched wing, sharpness, climbers pose and composition. This is my favorite image of the series.

[Grace Scalzo]

Your heart must have been racing when you were photographing this sequence. My favorite so far........

[adrian dancy]

A wonderful behaviour image here Grace. These youngsters really suffer the pain of their mistakes.

[keith mitchell]

Marina think I mentioned it before but it's marvellous how these baby owls can climb(used to get a lot brought to me by well meaning members of the public thinking that they could not get back up the tree from which they had fallen),this series certainly shows that they can look after themselves. Nice full view of this fluffy little chap.

Keith.

[John Robinson]

Much prefer this to the other one Marina.
very nice. Funny how when our young Tawny owls do this and stop on the floor they rarely get predated. Don,t know why.
John

[gail bisson]

What a great behavioral image.
Love everything about it- the outstretched wing, the great HA and the view of the feet clinging to the tree.
Good comp and IQ.
Only thing I might suggest is to tweak the catch light a bit.
Gail

[Rachel Hollander]

Hi Marina - What a great behavioral image and it sounds like an exhilarating sighting. All looks good but depending on your ethics, you might consider evicting or darkening the bright leaf along the trunk above the owl.

TFS,
Rachel

[Mike Poole]

This one is simply sublime Marina.

And interesting behavioural shot with great views of head, wings and talons.

It'd certainly have pride of place on my wall if I'd taken it.

Mike

[Lorant Voros]

This is over the top. Love how the little one is grabbing the tree. The eye tells a full story. Fantastic photography!

[Stu Bowie]

Hi Marina, great angle of capture, and well timed to capture the outstretched wing. You have brought out the soft fuzzy detail nicely.

[William Dickson]

Fabulous 'natural' looking image Marina.

Will

[Daniel Cadieux]

I love it! I like how it is looking slightly upwards as if to think to itself, while sighing, that that is where it needs to go. Sounds like you had a ton of fun - what it's all about!

[David Salem]

I think you sent me this a while back? Liked it then and like it now. A full and different image. Well done Marina