Northern Pygmy-Owl

[Gail Spitler]

Hi All
This little owl stopped by for its breakfast this morning, and allowed me a bit of time to try to capture its portrait. It has been a while since we had such a great photo op, made me quite nervous again.The image was tweaked and significantly cropped in LR2 and sharpened and NR in PS CS3.
I also did one version of this image where I did a significant gaussian blur on the background. It ended up too unnatural for me. So what say you about this bg?
Thanks for looking and C & C most appreciated.
And now back to squirrels.
Gail
Canon 50D with 100-400mm lens at 400mm, f/5.6 at 1/320 sec, Eval metering with +1/3 comp, ISO 800

[Jackie Schuknecht]

Gail I think the BG totally works with all the diagonals echoing each other. Just looked up the bird and they are so tiny! I like your framing, but do think it could use another round of NR. Thanks for sharing this image.

[Gail Spitler]

Thanks Jackie. I think you are right about a second go on NR
Gail

[Gus Cobos]

Hi Gail,
I like the composition and pose...the eye contact is dead on...I like this...the details are sharp and the color rendition is good...You just need a wee bit of noise reduction...good show...:cool:

[denise ippolito]

Gail, This is a wonderful shot,great eye contact. Nice capture. I like his pose,well done and lucky you to see him!!

[Nonda Surratt]

Gail, love that stare! BG is fine by me..Good job! I'd be very excited too!

[Alfred Forns]

Also agree the bg work well for me. Maybe you could have moved left a bit to keep the top branch from touching the head and also not starting out at the corner !!!

Great visitor and hope it repeats for you !!!!

[Lance Peters]

Hi Gail - love that stare - he certainly knows your there - agree on the NR.
Well done !

[Gail Spitler]

Thanks everyone. Noise reduction seems to be essential with the 50D.
I think I need a very small A. Forns on my shoulder when I am shooting, asking "check the bg, can you move?" - sort of like the photography version of Jiminey Cricket. (smile)
Cheers
Gail

[Oscar Zangroniz]

Gail, what a pose and those eyes are simply gorgeous. Excellent details and colors.
Regards,

[Desmond Chan]

You've got to love the owls. I mean, they're so cooperative !

To me, this one just need some noise reduction. Congrats, Gail !

BTW, was that taken in your area?

[Gail Spitler]

Desmond - yep, this little fellow was in the honeysuckle bush about 30 ft from my dining room window. It was looking for a midday snack of one of the birds visiting our dozen or so feeders. Northern Pygmy-Owls are probably our easiest owl to find as they are active during the day.
Cheers
Gail