You Want To Kung Fu Fighting

[Troy Lim]

My First Screech Owl!
I was told about this nest last year but never gotten around to visit this nest. Finally went after work today. Did not see him at first, waited for a while...patience paid off. He went hunting and brought back a dinner for his mate. The funny part was, after flying back into the nest, he was holding on the mouse in front of him for quite a while. Perhaps that is the way they killed the prey. He perfectly positioned the prey for me to get this shot. It reminded me the song Kung Fu Fighting. What a lucky day for me! Full Frame Uncropped, stood on the roof of a pickup truck with 400mm 2.8 on a tripod!

Exposure 0.005 sec (1/200)
Aperture f/10.0
Focal Length 400 mm
ISO Speed 1600
Exposure Bias 0 EV
Flash On, Return detected

[Ofer Levy]

Pretty amazing stuff!!!

[Duane Noblick]

Excellent detail especially the eyes. Great job getting up to it's height. I know this site is geared more towards the serious side of wildlife photography but I cannot help but laugh at the topic title..it's perfect.

[allanrube]

I have seen many screech owls but none with prey as it your shot. It looks like a sock puppet or a toy my dog would play with.

Seriously, that is what separates your shot from others I have seen.

[Chris Martinez]

hehe Very cool!!

[Joe Senzatimore]

Outstanding capture. Great timing. So glad you waited around. I would crop this to vertical as I feel the space on the left and right only serve to distract from a killer image.

[Mike Tracy]

Your patience paid off with a killer shot. The mouse is perfectly positioned for the viewer. I would definitely crop this one tighter.

[Melissa Groo]

This is an unbelievable capture, Troy. I am amazed. I do think cropping it would show it off to better advantage.
What a combination of luck and skill in this photo!

[Brendan Dozier]

I agree, this is just amazing, Troy! I'm sure you'll treasure this one, and I could see it being published somewhere for sure. I'm trying to fool myself into thinking their buddies!
But hey, owls have to eat too. Wonderful!

[Daniel Cadieux]

That is pretty cool! What a terrific opportunity you had. Well done on climbing on the truck for a better angle on this fella. I don't mind the comp as is, I just wish the URC was also green (but this was obviously the best angle to photograph from).

Excellent stuff!!

[Steve Large]

Hi Troy,
Amazing Shot! Something that you don't see every day. Love the green in the owl's eyes and the red plumage. The mouse almost looks like it is still alive. Is the nest in a palm tree? The bark looks different from anything we have up here.

Good luck and good light,

Steve

[Arsdel Fluesmeier]

An amazing shot. Well done.

[arash_hazeghi]

very nice Troy! Love that little vole! poor guy!

[Kiran Poonacha]

stuff brother...

[Luca Zappa]

Hi Troy,

What an amazing shot !!!
Just wonderful

Luca

[Jaap Bakker]

Wow,this is stunning,very right moment.

[Troy Lim]

Hi Troy,
Amazing Shot! Something that you don't see every day. Love the green in the owl's eyes and the red plumage. The mouse almost looks like it is still alive. Is the nest in a palm tree? The bark looks different from anything we have up here.

Good luck and good light,

Steve

Steve,

It is nesting in a cabbage palm.

[Troy Lim]

Thank you all for your comments. I really appreciate them.
I re-cropped as suggested. I am not sure which one I like better.

[Marina Scarr]

Congratulations, Troy. This is a killer shot...probably the best shot I have seen of yours to date...but there is that Bosque pic! :) I like the cropped version better b/c it really focuses in on your subjects. Love the colors in this one. They are very complimentary.

[Troy Lim]

Thank you all.
Here is another crop. What do you think?

[Randy Rimland]

superb shot Troy

[RAM MALLYA]

Amazing stuff Troy liked the second crop