Pearl-Spotted Owlet

[Ken Watkins]

Just tidying up my old images and found this, taken in Hwange National Park, Zimbabwe, 18th June 2009, 08.34.

EOS 1D MkIII

500mm F4 IS hand-held from vehicle

F6.3, ISO 400, 1/2500, EV +0.33

Eyes lightened and OOF branches cloned from top

[Kiran Poonacha]

Beautiful looking Bird Ken, nice blue Bg, I loved the eye contact and the talons showing well adds to this... would also try a tighter crop..

[Axel Hildebrandt]

Good-looking specimen and eye contact. I would sharpen the bird more, desaturate the sky a few points and maybe remove the shadow of the branch on the perch.

[Ken Watkins]

Kiran,

Thanks a lot

Axel,
I must admit to wondering about the shadows from the adjacent branches, and I agree that the blue is a bit too blue, but it really was a nice day.

[Nick Palmieri]

Love the bird and the blue BG. Looks like the top third of the eyes are in shadow and darkening them a bit, but not sure there is much you could do at this point. TFS.

[Bonnie Block]

Great looking owl. Agree with the comments on the blue, removing the shadow on the branch. Love the eye contact.

[Joe Senzatimore]

Wonderful subject captured very well. Great eyes and BG. Might crop some off the right if it were mine.

[Ken Watkins]

Thanks for all of the positive comments, nothing much I can do about the shadows on the eyes I have allready lightened them, the sun was presumably overhead?

Here is a repost hopefully incorporating your good suggestions, other than the crop. I had allready amended the image before this suggestion arrived:)

[Nicki Gwynn Jones]

I prefer it with the shadow - adds a little mystery to it :)

[James Salywoda]

The repost looks great gorgeous bird and great light the detail is excellent. I do agree about taking some of the right side.

[Gal Shon]

I prefer the repost. very good eye contact.