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Stealth and Active
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Stealth and Active

by Simon Bennett

Gallery: AvianPosted July 28, 20081,306 views13 comments
Tawny Frogmouths have two modes: stealth (left) and active (right).

Canon 40D, EF500 f/4, tripod, 580EX flash + bb, ISO400, 1/200, F/8, evaluative, fec -1 2/3, shot vertical, cropped a little.

Comments

13 comments
Comment posted by Terry Sohl on July 28, 2008 at 7:55 AM
Cool!! I love your explanation of the two as well! :cool:

They almost don't look real. the "active" mode bird looks like something a fantasy movie would dream up. Neat birds.
Registered on November 1, 2003, 513 Posts, 6889 Comments
Comment posted by Jim Arvanitis on July 28, 2008 at 2:50 PM
Very well done of this secretive species. Great eye contact from active, feather detail is superb and I like the composition is excellent. Congrats!!!

Jim
Registered on February 8, 2008, 45 Posts, 129 Comments
Comment posted by Lon Sharp on July 28, 2008 at 4:20 PM
What a great owl. I like how the smooth, barkless tree frames the "active" one. Did you get images with both individuals open-eyed? I think I would like that even better, but this is a real keeper.
Registered on December 9, 2007, 258 Posts, 9892 Comments
Comment posted by Mia McPherson on July 28, 2008 at 8:02 PM
Simon

I SO desperately wanted to see Tawny Frogmouths while I was in Australia but was disappointed.

This is an excellent image as presented and a very informative one too.
Registered on June 25, 2007, 491 Posts, 12566 Comments
Comment posted by Dennis Plank on July 29, 2008 at 12:35 AM
Cute, Simon! And a great shot too. :toast:
Registered on January 28, 2008, 1767 Posts, 23192 Comments
Comment posted by Jim DeWitt on July 29, 2008 at 1:00 AM
A stunning photo Simon. Brought me to a complete stop. What acol shot of a cool bird! :toast: :toast:
Registered on August 28, 2006, 1240 Posts, 8506 Comments
Comment posted by Gary Gulash on July 29, 2008 at 1:01 AM
This is really nice Simon! I like the cool coloration of the owls and leaves against the warmer tones in the trunk of the tree (eucalyptus?). I almost didn't notice the long tails on these guys, they are too cool!! Wonderfully done. :toast:
Registered on January 28, 2005, 879 Posts, 12098 Comments
Comment posted by Charlie VanTassel on July 29, 2008 at 1:46 AM
Wow, Simon. That's really something. I gotta get over there. :toast: :toast:
Registered on October 18, 2006, 644 Posts, 4801 Comments
Comment posted by Howard Cheek on July 29, 2008 at 5:23 PM
Very good interest Simon,
The two with such different "modes" make the shot a great one.
Well composed with excellent detail, exposure, and natural looking color sat :smile:
Registered on July 24, 2008, 1201 Posts, 10758 Comments
Comment posted by Richard Ditch on July 29, 2008 at 6:31 PM
If I hadn't once seen one of these in an aviary 20 years ago I'd think this was a composite with the head of a cat.

A wonderful image as posted.
Registered on November 1, 2003, 1031 Posts, 12705 Comments
Comment posted by Nate Chappell on August 3, 2008 at 12:52 AM
Terrific shot Simon, great eye contact with the one and distinctive behavior with the other, congrats. :toast:
Registered on February 1, 2006, 1158 Posts, 19528 Comments
Comment posted by Kirk Greene on August 5, 2008 at 10:22 PM
Very,very cool image. What a neat bird. This is the first time I have seen an image of this species. Congrats on the EP!
Registered on May 12, 2004, 191 Posts, 1578 Comments
Comment posted by David Sparks on August 6, 2008 at 11:39 PM
Wow! What a great shot of such unusual birds! "Active" isn't very active if you got him/her so sharp at 1/200. Congrats on the shot and the EP. :toast:
Registered on May 26, 2007, 290 Posts, 4270 Comments