When I arrived at the nesting area this week the two owlets had hopped far above the nest. I needed someone to show me the owlets as they were hidden by branches and Spanish moss. The parents were nearby too, easier to see, but I would have to shoot at a 75 degree angle so I did not bother.
Finally, one of the babies hopped down a bit and out into the open. The lighting was tough, very harsh, but I did the best I could do. It helped having a dx body, a 600 lens, and a 1.4 tc so I could step back and shoot upwards at a lesser angle.
I leave tomorrow morning so will not have a chance to see them fledge.
D300s, 600 lens with 1.4 tc - 1/640 at f/7.1 - iso 250
I'm a great fan of this photo. To my view, it is a triple threat as it offers this trifecta: natural history; pleasing color palette; a highly engaging subject. To steal a quote from Hal Hartley: "This is only my opinion, but it's one I value highly." I'll add this: it seems unfathomable to me that you could be bothered by the disparity in pupil size...a real point of interest, to my eye.