Nature Photographers Network
This is the preserved archive of the original Nature Photographers Network. The community continues at naturephotographers.network.
Face the Wind
‹ PreviousWeekly Challenge GalleryNext ›

Face the Wind

by Dennis Plank

Gallery: Weekly ChallengePosted February 8, 2016308 views11 comments
We had an irruption here in 2011-2012 and I got out a couple of times to photograph them.  While there's no snow in the image, It was pretty cold that day and they like nicely exposed areas-in this case a sand spit called Damon Point near Ocean Shores, Washington.  This one was perched on a relatively small driftwood branch right above the beach and was pretty cooperative.  While some of the photographers got right up to it, I didn't feel comfortable with getting too close, so this is a fairly large crop.

1D4, 500mm f4 ISL + 1.4 TC, Jobu Gimbal on Gitzo legs, f/11, 1/1000, iso 400, manual exposure.  Processed in LR5 & CS6.  Cropped to 6.02 MP before resizing.  Taken January 11, 2012 at 10:57 AM.

Comments and criticisms are welcome and appreciated.

Thanks,

 

Comments

11 comments
Comment posted by John Tobias on February 8, 2016 at 7:16 PM
While this is a neat photo of the arctic owl, and one I would like to have in my files, I like the one you posted in the Avian gallery better.  It seems to me that one has a more striking pose.  Both are fine.  Thanks for sharing.
Registered on September 12, 2009, 2120 Posts, 6455 Comments
Comment posted by David Schoen on February 8, 2016 at 8:51 PM
I am going to agree with John on this one.  The Avian gallery shot is better.  I am waiting for their return to Damon Point.  I have seen them there but I didn't have a camera at the time.  I agree with you that many photographers get too close.
Registered on November 6, 2006, 1213 Posts, 4587 Comments
Comment posted by Hisham Atallah on February 8, 2016 at 9:32 PM
Perfect perch and very nice light, Dennis. I also like the wind blown effect.

Cheers,

Hisham.
Registered on November 5, 2014, 121 Posts, 352 Comments
Comment posted by William Bickle on February 9, 2016 at 8:59 AM
Hello Dennis ... Well captured !   They certainly are a stunning bird!

Bill
 
Registered on June 13, 2011, 183 Posts, 1702 Comments
Comment posted by Mark Seaver on February 9, 2016 at 10:58 AM
The one eyed view is very striking, Dennis.  The details in the bird are great and you've handled the light colors very well.  When it comes to approaching any wildlife, my criteria is that when the animal spends most of it's time looking at me, I've gotten too close.  Yes, there certainly is a push among photographers to get closer and closer, which is not good for the animals.
Registered on January 23, 2011, 1103 Posts, 17270 Comments
Comment posted by Jerry Marella on February 9, 2016 at 10:58 AM
Another nice one, Dennis. Good look at the other eye!
Registered on November 1, 2003, 142 Posts, 862 Comments
Comment posted by Pete Bengeyfield on February 9, 2016 at 11:22 AM
Nice depiction of conditions.  His feathers are sure being rearranged. Not easy tro photograph the wind.  Nice catchlight too.
Registered on December 2, 2003, 1247 Posts, 3439 Comments
Comment posted by Albert Darmo on February 11, 2016 at 12:29 PM
Hi Dennis crying  Kudos on  you  stance  of  not getting too close to the bird.           love the perch and The  one eyed pose...  the light and detail capture are excellentdevil

Albert Darmo
canada
Registered on November 25, 2008, 1386 Posts, 11978 Comments
Comment posted by Luke Ormand on February 12, 2016 at 3:08 PM
I love this shot - any time you can get a Snowy on a perch it's a win in my book.  Add in the yellow eye and the windblown feathers?  Perfect! 
Registered on February 4, 2009, 1093 Posts, 7035 Comments
Comment posted by Mike Ramy on February 21, 2016 at 9:35 AM
Hey Dennis,
Well done.
Congratulations on the WP . . .  devil
Registered on June 16, 2012, 567 Posts, 2809 Comments
Comment posted by Albert Darmo on February 21, 2016 at 4:23 PM
Hi Dennis crying Congrats   on the well deserved  WP
devildevildevil
Albert Darmo
Canada
Registered on November 25, 2008, 1386 Posts, 11978 Comments