Another snowy owl

[Stuart Edwards]

This is looking like the start of a great season for owls this year . I have been lucky enough to find 5 different snowys within 40 min of my house. 2 of them don't like getting their picture taken but the other 3 seem to love it.
This shot was taken on Dec. 28th . outside temp was -24c and felt like -43c with the wind but well worth it for the time I got to spend with this beautiful lady. I found her in a spot where there had been a young male for the last 3 weeks and that might explain the missing feather and blood on her left wing. My theory is she got into a scuffle with the male and chased him off. A live mouse was used to get her to come close.
converted with dpp and cloned out a few stalks of corn in photoshop then used smart sharpen on the bird only. the brightest whites were a little hot but I tried to tone them down the best I could. I also wasn't to sue how to crop this if at all so I left it full frame
1DIV 400mm f5.6
1/2500 iso 1000

[Isaac Grant]

Bird looks really nice and the side lighting was perfect for this angle. Details on the bird look very nice. I do find these angles a bit awkward though. It's almost impossible to get that rear wing to be clear of the head and difficult to also get good eye contact. I still think this head angle works but it is not ideal. I would consider adding some canvas above and on the right to give the owl a little more space.

[Arthur Morris]

Looks pretty spectacular to me. Love the flying snow. And the sweet light. Thanks for disclosing the mouse; is it in the bird's talons in this image?

with love, artie

[Stuart Edwards]

Looks pretty spectacular to me. Love the flying snow. And the sweet light. Thanks for disclosing the mouse; is it in the bird's talons in this image?

with love, artie

Artie , yes the mouse is in there somewhere in the talons. For some reason she responded right away for the first mouse but didnt care for any more after that. I guess I will just have to go back lol.