Verraux's Eagle Owl

[Morkel Erasmus]

I'm still working through many of my 2009 images. We were lucky to get this guy in broad daylight fairly out in the open. Taken in the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park.

I cropped tight to lose as much of the thick acacia branches as possible. He was actually hooting (more like screaming) loudly as we watched him.

Techs:
Canon 40D with 100-400mm L IS USM @ 400mm
f7.1 @ 1/1000 SS @ ISO-400
Exp +0.3

[Randy Stout]

Morkel:

Very interesting owl, cute pink eyeliner.

Light was a bit harsh, with dark shadows. The shaded eyes in particular.

I like the windblown look, and I think you made a wise call to crop out as much of the clutter as possible. Some of the smaller twigs might be cloned out cleanly, such as RUC. Just an option.

Cheers

Randy

[arash_hazeghi]

Hi Morkel,
Very interesting capture, agree with Randy if possible try to brighten those yellow eyes a bit! Crop looks good. TFS

[Morkel Erasmus]

thanks guys. their eyes are actually pitch black :)

[Randy Stout]

Morkel:
Thanks for the clarification about their eye color. I am so used to their bright yellow eyes, that I made a bad assumption. The eyes are probably still shaded a bit, but suspect full illumination wouldn't make a lot of difference.

thanks!!

Randy