Snowy Owl

[Alex Becker]

Hi all,

A snowy owl taken this am in NJ. I have closer and more detailed shots, but I liked the setting here. This was right before the sun fully came up. Cropped about 15%, light NR on the BG, and sharpened. This is my first time seeing a snowy owl, which was just awesome.

Camera: Nikon D500
Lens: 200-500mm f/5.6 at 500mm
Specs: 1/250 ISO 1800 f/5.6

Thanks for looking and commenting on prior posts!
Alex

[Bill Dix]

Love the setting, Alex. Great stare, nice white on the bird against beautiful pre-sunrise sky. I assume you popped the whites in PS. Nicely done. (Sandy Hook, or Island Beach?) Congrats on the lifer.

[Isaac Grant]

This looks sweet Alex. Love the habitat and that you had him perched at the top of the dune. Great eye contact and beautiful light. I say we do a BPN field trip. Looks like Island Beach to me based on the dune. Lets set it up. Maybe morning there and then evening at Barnegat. I think the light is better in the evening there. I'm sure Bill and Geoffry will come as well.

[greg cowle]

Fabulous shot, really like the big sky.
Greg

[Tim Foltz]

Alex, great colors and comp., the environment really adds to the feel of this shot. Very nice.

-Tim

[Jonathan Ashton]

This is a really beautiful image, well done, I am looking forward to seeing more

[Alex Becker]

Thanks all -- really appreciate it. This was indeed Island Beach, good eyes. Isaac, a BPN field trip would be great! Especially Barneget as I've never been there but hear good things. Is Barneget good for ducks now or is it better in a month or so? Sounds great though.

Thanks again!

[Bill Dix]

Isaac and Alex, I could be up for a field trip. Hopefully Alex's owl will stick around. The Harlequin Ducks have returned to Barnegat, along with Purple Sandpipers in the rocks. Eiders, Loons, Gannets, various Scoters off shore. I haven't seen reports of very many Long-tailed Ducks yet.

[Noel Heustis]

Alex, wow. Beautiful colors, striking bird and pose, and I really like the sort of "thinking outside of the box" composition with more room behind the bird. Thanks for sharing this one.

[Geoffrey Montagu]

Simply beautiful, Alex. What a pose! Love the pink sky, sand dune, and winter vines. Congratulations on the lifer. I too would be up for a field trip.

Geoffrey

[Marina Scarr]

Impressive environmental!!!!!~