A bit too close (they are really small), but this is the only angle I could get in dark thick forest.
Good thing it was sleepy, it took a half hour to get a shot with this much eyes open.
Cute little owls, I have never seen one this close up in the wild.
1/250
f4.5
iso400
300mm (almost full frame)
in camera flash used.
He does look a bit miffed at your disturbing his slumber!
I like the tiny talons showing on the perch.
Did you try any in a vertical format to try and get a little more below?
The flash effect on the bird itself is pretty good, but I might try very lightly toning down the trunk and foreground foliage, as the flash effect is more noticeable there.
Dan, Rich colors and a super subject make this an image that I'll remember for a long time. Would be interested in seeing it as a vertical, if that was possible.
Randy, I had all the time in the world to try various shots, but there were branches above and below, his tail was barely visible behind the perch.
He was really tucked in and I had to work, pull back branches, etc., to get this one. I did not want to harass the little guy, but I wished he had moved over a bit.
The photo is deceiving about how large he looks. This one was maybe 6 inches tall!
I hated to use a flash and did try some f2.8 shots at 1/30, but no real luck, I needed a tripod!
I'd lighten it up a bit using levels, and recover some of the greens.
Here's my take on your jpg as an example (you'll have a lot better success than I as you are likely starting with something other than a tiny jpg)
This owl is acclimated to many people walking past on a path in a wildlife refuge...within 6 feet of the path. Its been there several years - note the well-worn perch (although it has at least one other perch - its not always on this one.). As Dan mentions, its very dark -- bring a tripod, and a flash for fill.
I like Randy's suggestion for a vertical...
Dan - if you remake it, perhaps consider leaving a little space on the bottom rather than cutting off through the branch (a "virtual tail" effect). Yet the tail tip usually shows below the branch and you might just get the tip too. I'd go for a tripod using a longer exposure rather than the direct flash which is pretty harsh due to the shadows (maybe use some fill flash).
Nice little Screech Owl...good capture under difficult conditions.
And hey, Dan, if you want to join us on first Thursday of each month at the refuge -- there is a small group of 10-30 photographers that shows work at 7:30 pm. Be good to meet you - you're here somewhere in the Willamette Valley I assume.
Last edited by Don Nelson; 12-05-2011 at 07:30 PM.
Western Screech Owl
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