Eyes Open ~ Finally

[Jim Fenton]

This morning, while waiting for a meeting, I Goggled Screech Owl calls and listened to several...numerous times. I then sat in my car learning to whistle my best screech owl mating call imitation...never figuring it might work.

Up till today, I had never seen this birds eyes open.

I arrived, put the beanbag on the window, rested the camera on it, put the car seat as low as it would go so I could actually see through the viewfinder (subject is about 30' up) and watched it for a while.

It turned it's head a hair, I whistled once and low and behold...eyes actually opened up!

Not open all the way, but at least I now know it actually has eyes :)

Not bad for my last cold weather subject before I head to Florida to do some photography down there :)

Nikon D300s, 500VR, TC17EII, ISO 1000, f8, 1/80, NearUniWB, CW metering, -.3 EV

[Fabs Forns]

What a cutie, I know they can be pretty deaf to calls sometimes. Great light and I like the centered compo here, only way to go. Love those little horns and yes :), the eye contact.

[Jim Fenton]

I'll miss this bird while I'm gone...but my head is already on Sanibel Fabs :)

[david cramer]

Nice work, Jim. Good contrast, color, and detail. I also like the center composition... you might consider a square crop. Now that you have the call down, watch out during mating season.

[LouBuonomo]

That is a cute one Jim ! If it were mine I would be tempted to burn the bark a bit.

Enjoy FL.. hope it warms up !

Lou

[Danny J Brown]

Great story and beautiful shot, Jim. How I would love to know of a little place like this where a little owl returns each day. I've kind of got the same thing going with a kingfisher perch but this is much better. Have fun in Florida.

[Jim Fenton]

Actually...I think this bird is feeding in his tree cavity. Twice now I've seen small bird poke their heads in for a look see and then disappear :)

[Mike Tracy]

With your first post I read it with interest and when I saw this one I got excited. Glad you got this cute guy with his eyes open.

Is that blood on the right talon ?

I might only follow the suggestion of darkening the bark but otherwise leave as is.

[Ted Willcox]

Neat image. What a find
Ted

[Myer Bornstein]

Great to see the owl with the eyes open. I will be a month behind you to Sanibel

[Randy Stout]

Jim:

Techs are very nice, with a very fun image here. Makes me smile.

+1 on slightly darkened bark, so highlight the owl.

Cheers

Randy

PS: Safe and enjoyable to Florida

[Axel Hildebrandt]

Your owl sound must have been impressive, the owl looks a bit shocked. :) Great to see the eyes, sharpness looks good, too. I would just tone down the whites, they are partially overexposed.

[arash_hazeghi]

What a cute little guy! Love the pose you captured, congrats :)

[Hendri Venter]

Wow this is so sweet. Love the pose, eye contact and detail. Many congrats.

[paul leverington]

Well he looks ticked off in this one Jim! Now the challenge is to get a shot with the eyes big and round wide opened!;):D:)

Paul

[Kaustubh Deshpande]

Thx for the story. Loved the composition and the bird is really cute. I like the subtle difference in the crop of this one than the last (more room at top here than the previous).

[Callie de Wet]

Just a lovely image of a cute little owlet, I am now assuming it is <30 cm. A wee bit of contrast would spice it up for me, but gorgeous as posted, Jim.

[James Salywoda]

Really a very nice shot Jim I like the look that you got from this little beauty.