Short Eared Owl

[Jonathan Ashton]

Canon 7D Canon 500mm f4 L IS & 1.4TC 1 ISO 640, handheld 1/500sec f5.6
This was a tricky devil!.... the light went from completely dull to bright and the bird was against the sky and then against the grasses. In the dull light the camera and lens combo struggled to find focus when the bird was against the grass, I soon switched from Zone AF central to AF point expansion- my usual mode.
All C & C welcome.

[Louie Champan]

Very nice shot. I like how you have composed the shot allowing the surrounding to be included in the shot.

[gail bisson]

Lovely species to get in flight. I would crop a bit off the left to make the bird less centered and appear to have more room on the right to "fly into". Face is tack sharp which is great. I just wish for a bit less wing blur but that is a minor nit,
Gail

[Tom Rambaut]

Agree with a bit off the left so the bird is flying into space.

[Bill Dix]

Lovely flight shot. Sharp on the head, where it counts. Another vote for a little off the left. I know how difficult it is to lock in focus on these guys in low light, grassy surroundings. I'm hoping we'll see one around here this winter so I can have another go.

[Dave Leroy]

Nice one Jonathan. I like the pose, sharpness and in focus habitat. It often seems the light, bg and bird don't quite match up. I would also take a bit off left and perhaps a bit warmer or less blue. Looking forward to more SE'd Owls.

[arash_hazeghi]

It is indeed very tough to get one of these, nice display of enviroment and good eye contact, good wing position. Details are lacking a bit though and there is some noise in the wings and right below the feet...