Snowy on the Snow

[Michael Thompson]

I got this shot a couple years ago, the closest I have ever been to one of these owls. I wish I would have got the sun more behind me, so both eyes would be lit up. I tried lighting the shadow in lightroom, but could not bring it out enough to my liking, because it looked too fake. Canon EOs 7D, Sigma 150-500 at 439 mm, 1/1250, iso 200.

[John Whaley]

Sweet. It is a beautiful image of a beautiful bird. Definitely a difficult exposure but I see lots of detail in the whites.

[arash_hazeghi]

love how he has tucked in the snow and bend wells. your self critique nails it, non-ideal light angle and the shaded pupil. In softer light the owl is more likely to open his eyes wide open which will result in a more attractive pose.

TFS

[gail bisson]

I really like this Michael. Love the blues and the nicely exposed whites of owl and snow.
I like the way he is plumped down in the snow. Eye issues addressed.
Your last 2 images have been quite good and I think you are improving nicely in your photography.
Keep up the good work,
Gail

[Michael Thompson]

I really like this Michael. Love the blues and the nicely exposed whites of owl and snow.
I like the way he is plumped down in the snow. Eye issues addressed.
Your last 2 images have been quite good and I think you are improving nicely in your photography.
Keep up the good work,
Gail

Thanks for the kind words Gail! Actually my latest two images were a couple of years old, so the only improvement is in my ability to edit them in Light room. I wish I had the knowledge I learned in this forum ( like lining up the sun directly behind me) when I had this great opportunity with this very cooperative Snowy, it could have been so much better! But this is the best I have got for Snowies now. I am ready if it ever happens again, but now I cannot get 100 yards from them it seems, or they are sitting way up on roadside power poles.

[Michael Thompson]

love how he has tucked in the snow and bend wells. your self critique nails it, non-ideal light angle and the shaded pupil. In softer light the owl is more likely to open his eyes wide open which will result in a more attractive pose.

TFS

Yeah a bunch of us were lying in the snow about 15 ft away and waiting for the sun to hit the horizon, when some putz decided he needed to be even closer, then it was bye bye birdie grrrrrrrrr!

[annmpacheco]

Well done Michael, bye bye birdie is right, grrrrhhhhh indeed. However, you did a super job with what you had and your processing looks terrific, id be excited to have this!

[John Mack]

Very nice really like how the owl looks like one with the snow.