Short-eared Owl

[Jack Backs]

I can't remember but I've been out 6-7 times in search of SEOs. Nothing to speak mostly but two times it was almost magical with birds hunting by me numerous times...once on Christmas and an other on a Sunday evening.
Different conservation areas. Not as many spectators those days(I was the only one present on Xmas). I went to one of these locations on a Saturday evening and the only things missing were carnival rides and barneys. Nothing
showed before sunset. I kept +250 images from those two sessions which at the time I considered as good as this image. I post a lot of my images on a couple of Missouri bird Facebook groups because if I don't... they'll probably
die on my hard drives without anyone else ever looking at them. I'm always intrigued what images they seem to prefer. I obviously liked this image enough to keep it. I wished the proximal wing was a little lower and more exposed
and the head turn a little more towards me. The Facebook crowd REALLY liked this image. It was partially cloudy when this was taken. The clouds would part periodically spotlighting the birds and this instance a few of the branches
behind the bird. The rest of the landscape was in shade imparting a deeper hue of blue. I guess the background is a nice complimentary color to the bird and adds interest without being too distracting. What say you, wisdom of the
crowd or run of the mill.
Nikon Z9, 500mmF4VRII, TC-14EIII, FTZ adapter
f5.6, 1/3200s, iso500

[Dorian Anderson]

Now there's some perfect illumination! Love the pose and the detail on the face. While not a full bank, we have just enough of the lower wing to make this work. The reeds behind work for me as they
provide a suggestion of habitat without overpowering the subject. Composition works well with more right to right of bird, where he's looking. All-in-all very nice!

[Andreas Liedmann]

Hi Jack ... a really stunning capture with even details in the dark mask .
All does work very well and i love the almost painterly faint reeds contrasting so coll with the blue of the sky !!!!

Nice and cool work from shot to finish

TFS Andreas

[Jonathan Ashton]

Beautiful shot, super composition colours and exposure. I would most definitely sharpen the face there is lots of detail there.

[Daniel Cadieux]

Yes, you've done really well here indeed! Great light, and I like those dark slate blues in the BG. I don't post on social media for likes, but it is often intriguing to see an image really take off on facebook and basically die on IG - and vice-versa lol.

[dankearl]

Outstanding... Contest worthy.

[David Pugsley]

That's a beauty! Love the light, pose and background.