Image Copyright Christopher Dodds www.chrisdoddsphoto.com All Rights Reserved. Snowy OwlOntario, Canada
Canon 1DMKII, 500mm F4IS, 2XII, Wimberley Head II, Gitzo 1325
ISO 320 F8 1/1250s
Q: Ever wonder how Snowy Owls fly so silently?
A: The frayed feathers break-up the air as it passes through them, allowing Snowy Owls to fly almost silently.
I captured this image on a very cold and very windy day on Amherst Island. This Snowy would keep letting go of the branch it was sitting on, and hover for a few seconds at a time before grabbing hold again. No bait was used in the making of this image.
Yes, I wish both eyes were looking straight into the camera, but it wasn't meant to be that day. :) The point of this image is to demonstrate all those fluffy feathers.
I like this a lot. Great wing pose and composition. I too would like to see both eyes but on the other hand, I think the head turn is also interesting and shows that birds don't always look in the direction of flight.
I love it! Pose is magnificent, exposure is outstanding and the head angle, although in this size it doesn't really show, I think that in a large size the head angle probalby works perfectly! Congratulations!
I'd love to see this bigger. Right now we can see a hint of pupil that would surely show nicely at a bigger size. I don't mind the head angle as it is seemingly looking at its' landing spot.
Hi Chris, it is great to hear that this one is not baited. The spread of the wings, the talons and the head turn makes this image fantastic. We all would love to see a good eye contact on this kind of images, in fact the web is filled with stunning images of snowies with terrific eye contacts, but this one is different and I think that it really works fine without the eye contact. The bird looks very natural, concentrated on its own bussines, searching for preys. I like it a lot! Very good exposure and excelent result considering that you are using a 2X TC. Big congratulations!
Snowy Owl Silent Flight
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