Boobook taking off.

[Ákos Lumnitzer]

Since I was having such a good ol' time with my first good Boobook sighting, I was hoping to capture it taking off. I had the lens prefocused on this point and wish I had captured a wingspread. This is my first attempt at preparing for something like this (definite) to happen, though I thought the Owl would fly in my direction. Can you tell from this jpeg of my extra PP work? I will disclose once I am satisfied that you guys can/can't guess. :D

30D, 300/4L, 1.4x, 430ex at zero, BB, 1/125th, f.5.6, MF

[Jeff Cashdollar]

What a great action shot. The profile looks incredible, big guy.
Did you add light or dodge the dark area in front of him? Still don't understand how you MF in low light, I will ask Al when I see him next month.

What is the significants of the Avitus?

[Ákos Lumnitzer]

What a great action shot. The profile looks incredible, big guy.
Did you add light or dodge the dark area in front of him? Still don't understand how you MF in low light, I will ask Al when I see him next month.

What is the significants of the Avitus?

Thank you Jeff. No, did not dodge nor added light. Basically, I figured the entrance to the hollow where it was sitting was close to or within the DOF constraints and I was already focused on that scene. It practically jumped off to the side of where it was sitting and preening earlier. I was squinting through the viewfinder in the very dim evening light and just squeezed the trigger once when I saw it take off. Manual exposure and flash took care of the exposure itself as flash was used as main light.

Gosh, how I wish that it flew towards me, but then I would have had too much focal length to see the spread wings. I would have found the spread wings better though.

Avitus admirator is Latin for Admirer of birds. :)

[Jeff Cashdollar]

Nice preparation, you did well. Are the owls frequently in this area.

If he flew towards you, you might have been knocked down. I assume this was within 10 feet, was flash on top of camera or extended arm user.

[Alfred Forns]

One fine image and love the planning !!! When I first look I couldn't figure what was going on :) Wonder if there is any way to set up a trigger device? Can't wait for the next one ...... good PS work !!!

[Ákos Lumnitzer]

Nice preparation, you did well. Are the owls frequently in this area.

If he flew towards you, you might have been knocked down. I assume this was within 10 feet, was flash on top of camera or extended arm user.

Yes, there is a forest of some 400 hectares here and lots of food for them and great roosting sites. I would thinkg that there would be several pairs of Boobooks here as they don't have a large territory. I remember reading a book by one of my favorite Australian bird photographers and amateur naturalists (Dr. David Hollands) that from his place he could count seven different ones calling all in the one period from different directions.

I was about 35 feet away.

Wonder if there is any way to set up a trigger device?

Thank you for the kind comments Al. I am sure if I had a trigger device I could set it. THat (I think) would be more useful at a nest hollow to capture the comings and goings wouldn't it?

I returned to the roost last night just before nightfall and found it empty. Though it was a rotten, dark and almost real rainy evening, so it may have flown earlier if it was there to begin with.

[Lance Peters]

Hi Akos - congrats - love the action and those out stretched talons. Know how hard it can be in near total darkness- well done :)

[Harold Davis]

akos, i'm gonna say you fixed a red eye in PP. that's my guess.

you got some really nice detail in the bird. big congrats!

[Gus Cobos]

A very fine capture indeed Akos, I love it, the details are razor sharp...love the eyes...:cool:

[Ákos Lumnitzer]

akos, i'm gonna say you fixed a red eye in PP. that's my guess.

you got some really nice detail in the bird. big congrats!

Thanks Harold, and you are correct. There is a little red still showing. That is the worst thing with the Ninox genus of owls, they are generally very prone to that dreaded red eye.

:)