The Short Eared Owl - A portrait

[Kiran Poonacha]

This cute owls visit India during winter (Oct - Feb). Very shy bird always hiding under bushes and very difficult to spot. I got lucky one evening when I spotted one sitting in the open on the ground enjoying the evening sunset. I did not want to miss a chance of making a portrait of this beauty and was blessed with this.

Canon 40D, 500mm F4 + 1.4 TC

Tech spec: ISO 800, F 8, 1/320, expo: -1/3

[Lana Hays]

Kiran
Short eared owls are wonderful.....and you have captured that ever present "surprised look" that they always seem to have. I usually see the chest area as rather smooth and creamy. Nice that you have brought out the feather detail. Well done.

[Axel Hildebrandt]

I like the stare, light and exposure control. I might sharpen the bird a bit less.

[Manos Papadomanolakis]

killer pose/eye contact!

[Daniel Cadieux]

A little less sharpening would be good. It is not blatantly over-sharpened, but enough to notice. I like the colours in the BG, but you could want o smooth out the "blotchy" look to it. Great stare, and I like straight-on look with the body turned sideways.

[Stu Bowie]

Kiran, great eye contact with those lovely big eyes. Good detail, and agree with regards to areas of oversharpening, especially on the forehead. I like the colours in the OOF BG.

[Fabs Forns]

Great "in your face" portrait, with intense eye contact, great depth of field and excellent exposure. Sharpening issue has been covered.

[Ramon M. Casares]

Amazing! Almost too many detail :D
Great light, pose, colors, BG, sharpness and comp. ongratulations!

[Ákos Lumnitzer]

All been mentioned. I love this image. Beautifully executed. :)