Florida Burrowing Owl

[Joseph Przybyla]

This one is from 2015, not getting out much I have been reviewing and post processing old files. The image was captured in Cape Coral, Florida. Comments and critique welcomed and appreciated. Thank you for viewing.

Nikon D7000
Nikon 80-400mm F/4.5-5.6 VR AF-S ED, camera and lens supported by a monopod
1/500 F/5.6 Matrix Metering EV +2/3 ISO 1100 Auto WB, image captured at 400mm
Post processed in Lightroom Classic, Photoshop CC 2020 and Neat Image for noise reduction
Cropped from 2x3 to 4x5 for composition and presentation

P.S. I was torn over removing the purple at the top of the background. I probably could have in Photoshop but like not to. The purple was a out of focus flower bed of purple flowers, not way to avoid it when staying on a reasonable light angle to the way the bird was facing.

[Randy Stout]

Joe:

I miss going to Cape Coral for these fun birds. Classic intense stare, nice detail, perch is weathered and small enough that it doesn't bother me, love the gnarly foot.

The purple makes him seem somehow more ominous, as if a dark cloud is hovering over him. Worth trying a version without the purple to see which you prefer.

TFS

Randy

[Bill Dix]

Nice to fine old gems as we weed through our files. Nice stare and detail. Post is a much better perch than some of the plastic pipe at Cape Coral. The bird seems a little pale. I know they can look that way, but wonder if adding a point or two of black to neutrals would help? I don't mind the purple.

[Stu Bowie]

Hi Joe, good eye contact, and you have brought out the feather detail nicely. Overall, sharp, and the post perch is small enough not to distract. The BG is fine as is.

[David Roach]

Another JP classic... Love the soft light, pose/stare, the details throughout and that brooding flowers. TFS

ps
Even the weathered stake adds in this one.

[Brian Sump]

Joe, fantastic subject here. You know I love owls; well you do now anyway.

While I like the color palette in the background including the purple, can't help but to say the purple takes my eyes there and off the bird. I tried re-opening the photo a while after first viewing and the same thing occurred for me.

It might enhance the eyes a touch with more smooth and consistent bkg. If you do leave it, still can't go wrong. Wonderful capture!

[John Mack]

I like the framing and that stare. The two toned background is another plus.