Northern Hawk Owl

[Taylor Yeager]

Image was made as the sun was dipping beneath the horizon after a long day of not getting the bird to cooperate. Patience payed off and the bird found a vole and briefly perched on a low branch. The branch has been removed from the BG.

Camera model:Canon EOS 50D
Focal length:700 mm
Exposure:1/800 at f/5.6
Flash:Not fired
Exposure mode:Manual
ISO speed:ISO 1600

[Axel Hildebrandt]

Very cool pose captured. It looks quite underexposed and the BG is relatively noisy. How about this?

[Ákos Lumnitzer]

I was going to mention noise. Great repost Axel. Fabulous job with the capture Taylor. It looks very focused on wherever it is heading.

[Jon Thornton]

I'm with Axel. The repost is a big improvement on the excellent initial capture.

[Mike Lentz]

I'm actually in the camp that the dark BG in the first image was nice, combine that with a "lightened" bird and thats my preference. Definitely some artifacting going on in the birds feathers as color noise is present. Nontheless, great eye contact and wing position here.

[Ramon M. Casares]

I agree with Mike´s comment, still, great shot, terrific pose and comp! Congratualitons!

[john crookes]

I also agree with Mike about a dark bg and a lighter bird also some nr on the bg and a little boost in sharpening the eyes

[Taylor Yeager]

Thanks folks. John I like what you have done. Of course there is noise it was ISO 1600!

[Arthur Morris]

Another version, FWIW. Axel's NR technique eliminated the BKGR noise. As originally presented the bird as well underexposed as there was lots of room to the right on the histogram.