The Owl Profile - North Fork Skagit River Flats, Washington

[Terry Olmsted]

This is the closest I have been able to get to the short-eared owl so far. This happens to be a male who was kind enough to hold still for a bit.
I know there is noise in the background, but frankly I like it. It provides a nice texture to my eye, but I certainly appreciate comments!
Lowly Canon XTi with 400mm f5.6L 1/2000s f5.6 ISO 400 Av Ctr weighted metering hand held etc. etc.

[Bonnie Block]

Hi Terry!
Yes, it is a bit noisy and a slight turn of the head would have been nice--but I sure would be happy to have this in my files.
Hope it is just the start for you to get even closer-a beautiful owl!

[Axel Hildebrandt]

I like the pose, perch and BG but would apply noise reduction on the BG.

[Rene Quenneville]

Terry,
thank you for sharing this nice picture. Exposure on the bird is perfect and it separates well from the background. You could try to crop a little tighter in order to remove some of the empty space below the perch. Minor detail. I love your picture.

[Terry Olmsted]

Thanks very much for the comments. Here's a slightly different pose taken 5 seconds later. I did appy a bit of noise reduction; the crop is about the same. I really could not decide which to post. All natural lighting.

[Todd Frost]

Both are great! Would be happy to have either, but if I had a choice it would be the second in a heartbeat. Not sure how you are doing the nr, but it looks hit and miss. Are you masking the bird? Looks like areas have been painted and other areas missed. a little work with the nr and they will look great.
Todd

[Dieter Schaefer]

I like the second one better. NR seems to be applied only in spots in that image - how about blurring the background a little (gaussian blur at 2 pixels)

[Stephen Stephen]

Terry two very nice images of a bird I'm dying to photograph. Number two is my favourite. Minor nits already mentioned.

[Bonnie Block]

Wow- #2 is a stunner, Terry! Awesome--congratulations on a fine pair!

[Judy Lynn Malloch]

I vote for number 2 also but would be thrilled to have either. Wonderful captures with such fine detail and eye contact. Love them both Terry !!!!

[Arthur Morris]

Excellent NR re-post by Dieter. Thank you sir!

I like them both, and just might like #1 a bit better. Now had the bird been looking right down the lens barrel in $2 it would have been a no-brainer.

Later and love, artie

[Steve Ashton]

Great images, my vote goes for number 2 and that NR has mad a big difference. Superb image.

[Gayle Clement]

My favorite is the second but they're both terrific.