Dusk Hunter

[Gerald Gardebled]

Picture of a short eared owl eating its dinner at dusk. Not the best light condition but I do like the oportinity given to be able to record this lovely bird in its natural environment eating its prey. Picture was made in Bulaotun, Beijing.
This short-eared owl are one of the favorite preys of the eagle-owl that eat them on regular basis as I often find the short-eared left over around the area.

Nikon D4S and Nikkor 600/4
ISO 1600
Aperture: F 4
Speed: 1/640
Taken from the truck, bean bag support.

[Richard Gollar]

Very nice

[arash_hazeghi]

Very nice

Hi Richard, please elaborate what you like about this photo, we like to encourage constructive critique on this forum and comments that go deeper than just "nice shot"

thanks

[arash_hazeghi]

Hi Gerald,

Great frame, I like the intense eye contact and the display of habitat although I wish the oof strand wasn't crossing the chest. The image is sharp and shows good details but it has a distinct blue color cast, which should be correctable by adjusting WB. I might also consider cropping it a bit tighter

what was the prey? was it natural or a bait?

TFS

[Tobie Schalkwyk]

Lovely detail and clarity in the facial area! I would have cropped it a little closer (dropping wasted space top & right) but that's perhaps just me.

[gail bisson]

I agree with Arash's critique so will not repeat it!
Gail

[keith mitchell]

Nits covered, nice detail on the bird and that stare really makes it for me,the eyes on these birds are something else!

Keith.

[Gerald Gardebled]

Hi Gerald,

Great frame, I like the intense eye contact and the display of habitat although I wish the oof strand wasn't crossing the chest. The image is sharp and shows good details but it has a distinct blue color cast, which should be correctable by adjusting WB. I might also consider cropping it a bit tighter

what was the prey? was it natural or a bait?

TFS

Hi,

Thanks for the comments. I wish that oof strand wasn't there, but nothing I could do about it. I kept the blue cast in order to reflect the actual mood and light of the real scene. But there is may be another way to do it. The prey is a mouse. It is not a bait. I am against baiting birds. I personaly think that there is no challenge in baiting a bird and take a picture. I like to spend time observing birds and finding about their habits and take pictures. That location where I go to has enough mice all over it. So no need for bait. just need to observe the birds, learn about their habits and the birds will give you the opportunity for a 100% natural shot.

[Gerald Gardebled]

Thanks all for the comments.

[arash_hazeghi]

Hi,

Thanks for the comments. I wish that oof strand wasn't there, but nothing I could do about it. I kept the blue cast in order to reflect the actual mood and light of the real scene. But there is may be another way to do it. The prey is a mouse. It is not a bait. I am against baiting birds. I personaly think that there is no challenge in baiting a bird and take a picture. I like to spend time observing birds and finding about their habits and take pictures. That location where I go to has enough mice all over it. So no need for bait. just need to observe the birds, learn about their habits and the birds will give you the opportunity for a 100% natural shot.

Thanks Gerald, of course natural prey is a big plus and most desirable. Perhaps pulling forward by a few feet would have gotten rid of the offending grass.

[Karl Egressy]

Nice action shot. Love the stare and the modest showing of prey item in the beak.

[Arthur Morris]

Love the stare and the intense colors as well. If he pulled forward a bit it looks as if the situation would have gotten a lot worse with the taller red stuff in the way.... a

[Giovanni Frescura]

I like a lot the face and eyes...some problem for under ..could be possible reduce it to avoid confusion ?