SAW-WHET OWL

[Michael Bertelsen]

We found this little guy a couple of days ago hiding from a very cold northern wind.
Wish I could have seen more of him, but there was just too many branches.
Nikon D3s, lens 70 - 200mm f2.8 Hand held.
f 8.0
1/160 sec
Exposure + 1/3
ISO 1000
Your thoughts are welcome.

Michael Bertelsen

[Rene Quenneville]

Hi Michael,

Great pose and very sharp picture. In this side lighting situatuion, a fill flash would have help to balance the exposure in the face and to illuminate the eyes more.

You could try Shadows and Highlights in Photoshop, it would reduce the tone difference.

[Michael Bertelsen]

Hi Rene,
Your right, I should have tried fill flash.
I did use SH/ HL to its full extent.
But as you know not all situations offer the best results.:(

Michael

[Linwood Ferguson]

Just begs to be made into a holiday card for 2011!

[Paul Lagasi]

Micheal a great find. nice image, lovely stare...TFS
I drove through Huntsville yesterday and into the Park from Bracebridge, wow park was quiet, even the feeders at visitors centre..only 5 chickadees. :o None Boreal.

[Randy Stout]

Michael:

The directional lighting did really bring up the detail in the facial feathers. The downside of course are the fairly deep shadows, which you were able to mitigate somewhat in post.

I think there is enough of the body showing for it to be effective, good habitat picture for me.

Those great owl eyes really are captivating.

Cheers

Randy

[Don Lacy]

Hi Michael, wonderful look on the owl and I really like how the pine needles frames the subject

[subhrashis]

I love the expressions owls have on their faces, and you have captured it in a perfectly lovely fashion! I feel the head tilt adds to this cuteness. The side-lighting is not too much a bother to me, and does add interest in the form of textures.

Overall, a lovely image, Thanks a lot for sharing!

[philperry]

Excellent shot Michael. No problem regarding the branches - if he is hiding a bit, then show him hiding. For me the lighting is great - showing a nice contrast between the sunlit and shady sides.

All round pleasing photo. I can see this on greetings cards already !

[Michael Bertelsen]

Thanks Guys,
I wasn't sure how this one would do!
Now you know what you will be getting next year in the mail :)

Happy New Years,

Michael

[Kaustubh Deshpande]

Michael, I actually like the light here. Very good feel to the image...and sharpness is very good. Good job on the shadows.