Burrowing Owl

[DarrenMcKenna]

Burrowing Owl
Athene cunicularia





Canon 40D
500mm f/4L IS +1.4x
1/250
6.3
ISO: 400
Spot Metering
full frame cropped vertical
1 hand held from car



I know this is fairly tight in the frame but I feel most fortunate to have gotten this. These guys would perch on the fence posts but do not like being approached by vehicle or on foot, this area does not see more then a few vehicles a month, very isolated. This is bald *** prairie so a blind was out of the question.

I did not want to stress these guys any more then I had to, when I approached in my car and lifted my camera they would almost immediately fly off. I came up with a plan, I would steer with my left leg while my 500mm was rested on the passenger window as thousands of mosquitoes filled my car.

I had very little time with this juvenile and as soon as I was close enough my left leg went from steering wheel to the brake pedal, then I fired off a few shots before he flew off.







darrenmckenna.com

[Ákos Lumnitzer]

Good tactic Darren that worked well this time. Lucky you were on a quiet road. :D

Like the sidelight very much. It is beautifully warm too! Thanks for sharing. :)

[Tony Whitehead]

Love your description of your stalking technique, Darren. Lovely warm light and graduated BG. Agree a little tight in frame. May be worth moving the bird a little to the right in the frame if possible.

[Lorant Voros]

Hello Darren. Very interesting story and nice way to get close. I agree; it is a little tight, but overall very pleasing. Love the light and the mood of the image. Well done.

[Ilija Dukovski]

That is some photo technique:) the image has great light, I only wish it was actually more centered in the frame.
I love the eyes on the bird, very nice.

[Brian Barcelos]

Amazing light and I love the transition of color in the BG. I'd like some more room top, bottom and left and maybe a little taken off of the right side. Congrats.

Brian

[Stu Bowie]

Sweet light Darren, and I like the warm colours. Lovely lazy pose, although he was very aware of you. Well done for getting the shot.

[Aditya Shankar]

Hi Darren,

Nice warm colours and just cant stop enjoying the sidelight .. A very nice image.. nice Dual BG .. As you mention, a bit tight .. but I might be tempted to try may be a bit more room to the left.. Congrats!! .. and a pretty novel technique with the approach as well :D love that too .. thanks for sharing !

Adi

[Ramon M. Casares]

It is a bit tight, but the light, detail and subject are all very nice, it looks whiter than other burrowing owls.
Congratulations!

[DarrenMcKenna]

it looks whiter than other burrowing owls.

Whiter and larger, because he is still a juvenile.

[Ramon M. Casares]

Ok, juvis here in Argentina are actually darker and smaller or equal in size of the adults, that's why his/her white feathers, espcially the ones from the head, called my atention.
Thanks!

[Raymond Barlow]

fantastic image Darren!.. very interesting technique, well done.

[Dave Barnes]

Well worth the effort me thinks.
I like the light and BG.I am not mad about the perch, but understand that you had no choice and it was just great to get him captured.
Super detail and eye contact.

[Gal Shon]

A real delight.
The blood? on the beak is a nice bonus.
Light, BG and quality are great.
I would open the frame a little bit, I wouldn't lighten his / her left eye.

[sree.kumar.h]

Darren this a fantastic image. Great colours and exposure, like the way you have captured details on the shadow area. Applause for your effort to capture this image.

[Simon Bennett]

Wonderfull light.

[arash_hazeghi]

Excellent light and great pose, love the eyes!

[Art Kornienko]

Considering the conditons Darren, nice work, great shot, when time is of the essence, luck can be your best friend.