Little Owl, Athene noctua

[Melvin Grey]

Another owl image, this time from near home - Skomer Isl, West Wales. This bird was very jumpy and difficult to approach but, after sitting with it for about 1/2 hr, I was then able to slowly and gradually ease to within range.
It had been sitting on top of a dry stone wall but, just before I took the image, it hopped up onto this photogenic rock - everything comes to him that waits:) The BG is a field of out of focus bracken. The little white speck, to the right of the bird, is a midge. Easy to clone out of course but, as it is easily recognisable in a print, I have left it in as it was all part of the situation - they were biting like mad! These owls are very similar to your Burrowing Owls, but generally not nearly so co-operative.

Canon 1D Mk111, 500mm f4 IS plus TC2. Exp. EV, no comp. 1/640 @ f8 ISO equiv 800

[Gyorgy Szimuly]

No one could dream a better perch and such a sweet distant bg.
The plant besides the stone is very nice. I find the bird a bit soft though the eyes are sharp.
Very nice.

Szimi

[Arthur Morris]

Quite lovely. The plant adds a ton. This might have been a great vertical with the owl on the "wrong" side of the frame.

[Daniel Cadieux]

Beautiful subject, and the surroundings are nice too. Could use a bit more saturation?

[Gerald_Gilligan]

I love the perch and the background, but wish that the owl had a little more punch.
I did a slight levels and shadows / highlight adjustment to bring out some definition.
I also cloned out that white spot to the right of the owl...I did not re post.
Either way I love these little owls...... you did a fine job with this composition.

Jerry

[Nikolay Staykov - shotlandetsa]

Fantastic image! I can only wish the white spot on the right at the bird to be removed and a tag more sharpening for the bird.
Congrats for the lovely image!

[Doug Brown]

What a great perch and BG! I'd like to see a bit more room up top. Don't mind the fly next to the bird. Thanks for posting!

[Keith Carver]

Superb COMP, Melvin, needing only a little more canvas at top as already mentioned. Love the stump and the plant and the BKGR. I'd vote for deleting the fly. Congrats!

[Brutus Ostling]

I love the eyes in this photo, they are fantastic to photograph, but shy. Good background, etcetera. I agree about the canvas on top.

[Axel Hildebrandt]

Great setting, light, pose and BG. Another vote for more room at the top, increased saturation and/or color temperature and some more sharpening of the bird. Thanks for sharing!

[Markus Jais]

wonderful shot. I like the eye contact and the clean background. Maybe you could add a little saturation and contrast.

Markus

[Raymond Barlow]

congrats on a fine image, fantastic setting. I would have tried a lower iso, and moved the bird off center left or right., I am thinking this is full frame, so maybe you could have worked with some different compositions in the field? I am betting you did., the owl does look a little flat, some ps work would really help this shot.

[Arthur Morris]

I love the perch and the background, but wish that the owl had a little more punch.
I did a slight levels and shadows / highlight adjustment to bring out some definition.
I also cloned out that white spot to the right of the owl...I did not re post.
Either way I love these little owls...... you did a fine job with this composition.

Jerry

Why not share? We'd love to see a repost.