Pearlspotted Owl

[Morkel Erasmus]

On our recent trip to Kruger National Park, we were doing a late afternoon drive, and on the way back to the camp my wife spotted this owl in a tree beside the road @ 40km/h! (quite an eye!).

The setting sun fell just right onto him, and I like how the twigs are 'framing' him. A busy BG but that's where he sat. :)

Your C&C most welcome...as usual...

Canon 1000D with 100-400mm L IS USM @ 400mm
f5.6 @ 1/640 SS @ ISO 800

[David DesRochers]

Great light on the subject. I would like to see the shadows lightened a bit. Maybe a showdows and highlights adjustment would reduce the contrast. I think the branches and background show the environment and add to the overall photo.

[David DesRochers]

I used shadows and highligts.

[Morkel Erasmus]

thanks for your comment and effort to repost Dave. I like your repost but I also liked the half-lit effect in the original...:)

[Axel Hildebrandt]

I like the sharpness and eye contact but find the setting quite busy. I would tone down the highlights some more.

[Ákos Lumnitzer]

I understand your elation bro. A lovely species. It's not that hard to spot owls roosting in bare trees, but easier at night with a spottie. :) Wives are great spotters! Buy her lots of flowers man!
Love the sidelighting and don't mind the busy BG, though a bit cleaner would set it off nicer surely. However, you made the best of your situation I feel. Tone down the light plumage on the sunny side of the chest mate! Thanks for sharing. :)

[Phil Ertel]

I like it. The inclusion of habitat. Perhaps something between the original and David's version.

[Joe Senzatimore]

I'm with Phil , something in between would work very well.

[Juan Carlos Vindas]

She certainly has a tour guide eye!
Great looking owl, love the environment captured here.

[Harshad Barve]

all well said above and agreed , my vote of ORIG
TFS

[Stu Bowie]

40 kph, you were speeding mate. LOL. Great sighting, and I like the warm colours in this. You have framed him nicely between the branches, and great eye contact too. Well spotted by mommy, and well captured.

[Ken Watkins]

When the day comes that this Owl perches in a relatively open space I hope to be around, until then you can either clear up some of the background, or leave it as it is. The original post looks OK to me, you got nice open eyes as well.

[Morkel Erasmus]

thanks for the comments everyone. I will work on it some more this afternoon (don't trust my laptop monitor).

@ Stu - tar road, limit 50km/h, so NOT speeding, just not driving slowly :)

@ Ken - we DID get one wide in the open, in crappy harsh light. Will post to show you it's possible :)

[Kiran Poonacha]

Lovely one Brother.. I prefer the OP as it looks more natural, loved the eye contact and the three branches frames the bird well.. congrats..

[Ryan Lambert]

I also prefer the OP but would just lighten it slightly, super image of a pearly in it's natural environment...congrats

[Simon Bennett]

Lovely in-habitat image - bring back memories of seeing one along time ago in Kenya - I'd love to get back to Africa with my digital gear.

[Morkel Erasmus]

here is my updated version based on suggestions. toned down highlights some and pulled some more detail from the shadows.