High key Barn Owl

[Mike Poole]

I took a trip out last week to look for some short eared owls. They were hunting in the field, but wouldn't come within range for a frame filling shot, and I was getting pretty fed up about my results given the 4 hour round trip. However, a Barn Owl made a late appearance to save the day, and I as pretty chuffed when she gave me a reasonable pass.

At that point I was told that "there's a breeding pair here - they appear every afternoon. If you go round the corner you'll probably get them right up close to you!"

Now I need another free day for the shorties in the morning and a serious crack at the barnies later on!

This wasn't much more than a grab shot so is still bit more of a crop than I'd have liked, next time I'll be in place in my hide early on, ready to go with the 5d3 and probably a higher ISO and shutter speed.

Canon 7d2
500mm f4is
ISO 800
1/1000th f4

Mike

[Mike Poole]

Apologies, posted the wrong version

Mike

[John Robinson]

Certainly a it more "guts" in the second one Mike, Got itseye on you alright !. very nice. Would be nice with a bit of something blurred in the back for my taste but thats just me - most will prefer as is. No big deal.
John

[Mike Poole]

Cheers John,

I have a few others with her smaller in frame with a much more interesting BG that I'll post another day, only got one pass so it was bland sky or nothing!

Mike

[Jonathan Ashton]

Yes certainly prefer the repost Mike when I saw the original I thought lower the brightness and increase contrast a tad, if this is a large crop I would reduce it slightly. The image appears slightly noisy but I think the head is sharp and that's what counts. None of the owls round here are without leg bands so well spotted!

[Jim Crosswell]

I like the wing position, eye contact, high key and composition. Would love to see this owl one day. Well done Mike!

[Karl Egressy]

Nice up wing pose and head turn, Mike.

[Grace Scalzo]

Quite a great species, and I like the hint of peach in the high key background. Great look that the bird is giving you. I'm not 100 percent on the crop and think that a trim from the left might work, even if it becomes squarish. Personal taste, of course.

[adrian dancy]

Always nice to get a barny:) the repost is better in my view. Good exposure and detail albeit with sacrifice to a little noise which I do not find disturbing.

[dankearl]

Cool high key subject and eye contact.

[arash_hazeghi]

excellent frame, love the eye contact and the wing positions. the high key sky isn't bad either. I see some noise on the bird too

TFS

[keith mitchell]

The second one for me Mike, Owl stands out beautifully.

Keith.

[christopher galeski]

nice capture,agree,the repost is the one.TFS.