Bringing home the bacon

[Steve Kaluski]

This is the male owl bringing back a 'tasty morsel' for the number 1 chick, number two still had not got his/her confidence to join his brother/sister then. A bit tight on the LHS, but managed NOT to clip the wings, as you have no idea which side they will fly into and land left or right of the chick, as it's all within seconds and then they are off hunting again. This from under the old willow tree that had been hit by lightening and were nesting in and where light was of a premium hence ISO6400 and to stain SS.

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

Steve

Subject: Little owl (Athene noctua) coming back to feed young owlet
Location: UK
Camera: Canon 1DX
Lens: 500f/4 MK2 with 1.4 MKIII Gitzo tripod/Uniqueball head
Exposure: 1/2000s at f/5.6 ISO6400
Original format: Landscape, very slight crop from RHS.
Subject distance: 14m
Processed via: LR CC (2015) & PS CC 2014

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.

[David Cowling]

Great story telling action here. Lovely sharp shot of the owlet and although the parent bird is not fully in focus I don't think it matters in this image. The techs look good especially under the circumstances you were photographing.The bright green patch and leafy twig are a touch distracting. Nice image Steve.

[Jim Crosswell]

I like the behavior you captured in this image. Good job on not clipping the wing. The owlet is nice and sharp. Well done Steve.

[Karl Egressy]

Nice action shot, the baby looks good.

[Steve Kaluski]

Cheers guys, just remember to push that ISO to retina a good SS and not allow that 'capture' to escape.

[keith mitchell]

The Owlet looks really good Steve, agree I might try to tone down the bright bits, nice different kind of shot and good on you for trying something different.


Keith.

[Steve Kaluski]

nice different kind of shot and good on you for trying something different.

Cheers Keith, as I stated way back in the year, it's all about stretching yourself, the kit (albeit minimal) and having something more engaging for the viewer too.

Toning back the highlights are not an issue, but if I decide to, it would not be by much as overall I still want to retain 'tonal' depth and also this is very reflective of the conditions, but as 'Artists' how far do wish to portray the capture, but that's a bigger discussion.

[David Salem]

To be honest Steve, this one isn't working well for me. The baby is great, and I like that it's sharp with a calling pose, but the rest is not ideal. The parent is to OOF and the tree in the BG is to close in color to the owls so everything gets sucked up in it. Hope you don't mind, just my opinion. Keep woking them.
Glad you have babies to shoot this season.

[Steve Kaluski]

Cheers David, no problem, proves however they are well camouflaged within their habitat. As I said, it's all about pushing and trying and breaking away from the more straight forward 'bread & butter' stuff, otherwise things get stale.

[David Salem]

I definitely appreciate that about your work