Long Eared Owl

[Andreas Liedmann]

Hi folks one of the seldom moments I do post fresh stuff ....
So here you go , image taken yesterday in my neighbors garden ... he called me and said something about an owl in his backyard .
I went and had a look ... so there he was , sitting high up in a tree .... had to climb a ladder about 5m to get a decent shooting angle . Could have been better for sure .... the same is valid for the busy BG , could have been better ....
But i am ok with all things ... not a prize winning shot though .

Canon EOS 1Dx II
EF 500 IS L II
HH

F 5,6 ; Iso 4000 ; 1/1250 sec

Double processed with DPP 4 (for better control of the dynamic range ) and PSCC 2021 ; cropped to 60 % of FF ; removed some twigs

Thanks for looking and commenting to my previous posting

Cheers Andreas

[Brian Sump]

Andreas, gorgeous LEO! Feathers almost look surreal and the eyes (primarily its right) really grab me.

Love the orange coming through in the plumage. Sure I know the answer, but you didn't touch the bkg between the ears by chance? Looks a bit interesting where the fine ear feathers meet the green from the foliage but probably just my eyes.

Great job making the position adjustment to get it. That's noteworthy! I do agree with your other assessments, certainly more depth for bokeh would have been nice.

Also, know you're more of a purist but I'd consider cloning the white spec near the right eye and maybe the sharp nub on the right portion of the limb.

FWIW, I have ZERO of this species so you're far ahead of me :-)

[Jonathan Ashton]

Andreas, that is a super image, lovely tones and colours. The background is just fine for me, LEO typically roost in trees like this, I think it will be quite some time before we see a better LEO image.

[Wayne Niz]

Fantastic picture (love the fact that you took the effort to quickly go and get a ladder - im sure you took a few banker shots before you did that?) I actually thing that the BG although busy brings color and context to the picture. Well done

[Kurt Bowman]

Great job on this one Andreas! I still have never even seen one in the wild. I am also fine with the BG...not sure I have ever seen can image of one outside of the trees. Great job!

[Dorian Anderson]

Looks very Good, Andreas. Super cool you were able to see one so close to home. Sure the BG isn't perfect, but this is exactly how I've seen these guys in the wild; it's
a very natural looking shot. Exposure and details look good. Just wish for a slight bit more head turn.

[William Dickson]

Looking real good Andreas.....Getting the ladder paid off big style....No nits here....Loving that BG and pose on the bird....Great weathered perch...I hope you asked your neighbour to let you know if it returns...Maybe nesting nearby...Wow...

Will

[Andreas Liedmann]

Thanks a big bunch folks ... for your kind comments .

Just discovered yesterday .... there is a breeding pair incl 5 youngsters in that backyard . Kids are roosting more or less open , but tough to get a shot . Will see if I can get them more in the open ..... and if my neighbor can take my presence

Cheers Andreas

[Andreas Liedmann]

Andreas, gorgeous LEO! Feathers almost look surreal and the eyes (primarily its right) really grab me.

Love the orange coming through in the plumage. Sure I know the answer, but you didn't touch the bkg between the ears by chance? Looks a bit interesting where the fine ear feathers meet the green from the foliage but probably just my eyes.

Great job making the position adjustment to get it. That's noteworthy! I do agree with your other assessments, certainly more depth for bokeh would have been nice.

Also, know you're more of a purist but I'd consider cloning the white spec near the right eye and maybe the sharp nub on the right portion of the limb.

FWIW, I have ZERO of this species so you're far ahead of me :-)

Hi Brian... thanks for your feedback
BG is not touched between the ears , I could have removed the white dot and the sharp nub limb .... simply overlooked these things

Cheers Andreas