Spectacled Owl

[Juan Carlos Vindas]

This is one of those species that you don't want to let go!
The day was rainy, foggy, and, overcast, did I mentioned rainy! Any ways, there he was, perched way up there! and looking at me, all I had was 350mm to play with and a not very steady tripod, I never carry the central column, but today it could have been very useful, I did all the tricks I know to have the tripod raised and to avoid all motion I could.
I was so lucky he didn't move much and that he is a big guy (19inches)
I think 350mm are not enough anymore!


Canon 30D
Canon 35-350@350
Tripod!
Natural Light
ISO 500
f/8
1/100sec.
AV

PS: this is a 40% crop:confused:

[Doug Brown]

Cool bird! It's a little too centered for my taste and the irises are somewhat dark. Here's a repost that moves the bird to the right and brightens the eyes.

[Ákos Lumnitzer]

The brighter eyes make a big difference. But this Owl is awesome. You managed quite well Juan - I think - looks like you had poor light. Most certainly in my neck of the woods, most owls roost in under dark forest canopies, so flashes and slow shutter speeds with a tripod are generally the bare necessities. Love those humongous talons. It's incredible how sometimes the smaller Owl species (like our Sooty Owl - Tyto tenebricosa) are relatively small, but the feet are massive!

Cheers

[Juan Carlos Vindas]

Cool bird! It's a little too centered for my taste and the irises are somewhat dark. Here's a repost that moves the bird to the right and brightens the eyes.

Yes, I can see the changes!
I also was tempted to lighten the eyes a bit, but this is a juvi. and that's why his eyes are not yellow-banana yet.
About the rest I believe you did great even with the crop! Thanks Doug for your PS expertise. :)

[Axel Hildebrandt]

Great find and good repost. I might be tempted to tone down the highlights a bit more.

[Art Kornienko]

Considering the conditions and what you had to work with, this caputure is quite sensational. The only thing that I find distracts a bit are some of leaf edges above the owl's head, I like the crop, maybe would have left a slight bit more on the bottom.