Deadly Eyes from a little owl

[Eric Dienesch]

a few weeks ago i have found two places where the little owl were nesting.
i do not want to disturb them, so i have to keep distance to the nest with chicks inside.

so i take my time and after a few days i was lucky and got the chance to take this picture and a few more.

the adult little owl was searching for prey to feed the chicks in the nest, i was sitting in my car as a hide.

i think it looks a little bit angry ...

c+c welcome
7D Mark II with:

• EF600mm f/4L IS II USM +1.4x III
• ƒ/6.3
• 840.0 mm
• 1/250sec ISO
• 1600

car as hide

[John Robinson]

Thats a grand little owl study Eric. The colours look spot on to me and the background sets the bird off beautifully.. Mine turned up this year but I left them to gert on with it. I have a feeling magpies got the chicks again.
Well done anyway
John

[Randy Stout]

Eric:
I like the soft lighting, lovely background, cropping of the perch to downplay its bulk, eye contact.

Was any noise reduction required at this ISO?

Cheers

Randy

[Eric Dienesch]

Hello,
thank you both for your comments.

no noise reduction was active, ok develeped in lightroom the color noise reduction is on 25, normal noise reduction was 0.
for me iso 1600 with the 7d2 is a little bit over the edge without noise reduction and yes there is a little bit of noise, i could change that.
thx

[Randy Stout]

Eric:

I didn't find the noise objectionable, and thats why I asked if you needed anything to get it there. Thanks!

Randy

[John Hackney]

Wonderful shot Eric. I have found that at times the noise is more noticeable than others. If you do not have to crop much the noise goes way down with resizing to the forum limits. That is one very intense stare.