Great Horned Owl

Gallery: AvianPosted December 2, 20091,116 views19 comments

We had a photo trip in the Antelope Canyon area yesterday and while conversing with our Navaho guide, he mentioned he knew a canyon that had some owls. My ears perked up and I questioned him if he'd be interested in showing us the area the next day. He said "Yes" and the results are here!

Canon 1D Mark III
Canon 500 f4
ISO 400
1/100 f 5.6
Shaded area with reflected light off opposite canyon wall.

Comments

19 comments

Comment posted by Richard Ditch on December 2, 2009 at 8:05 PM

I love it!

Great Horned Owls nest on cliff faces around Phoenix but they are difficult to find and harder to photograph. I'd found a family within a hal mile of our house one year but not since. I'd love to have this opportunity.

Registered on November 1, 2003, 1031 Posts, 12705 Comments

Comment posted by Dennis Plank on December 2, 2009 at 8:21 PM

Fantastic light, Richard and I like the contrast in textures between the plumage and the rock.

Registered on January 28, 2008, 1767 Posts, 23192 Comments

Comment posted by Ken Archer on December 2, 2009 at 9:01 PM

Sweet One Richard!!! The owl is beautiful, but the orange sandstone beefs it up for me.

Ken Archer

Registered on October 28, 2004, 222 Posts, 6683 Comments

Comment posted by Luke Ormand on December 2, 2009 at 9:40 PM

Nice unique photo - I was unaware these guys nested on cliffs. The lighting and colors are simply gorgeous and the eye contact is great.

- Luke

Registered on February 4, 2009, 1093 Posts, 7035 Comments

Comment posted by Angela McCain on December 2, 2009 at 9:49 PM

You must be very proud of this one.

Registered on April 19, 2009, 367 Posts, 3589 Comments

Comment posted by Nate Chappell on December 2, 2009 at 10:35 PM

That's really beautiful, the owl looks great and I love the setting, congrats Richard

Registered on February 1, 2006, 1158 Posts, 19528 Comments

Comment posted by Brian Gatlin on December 3, 2009 at 9:00 AM

a super shot--wonderful texture in both the sandstone and the owl. very nice light. well done!

Registered on March 21, 2009, 202 Posts, 4187 Comments

Comment posted by Dan Harbour on December 3, 2009 at 4:25 PM

Great shot. Nice detail in the owl and the orange sandstone is beautiful.

Registered on January 4, 2008, 113 Posts, 2416 Comments

Comment posted by Mia McPherson on December 3, 2009 at 7:25 PM

Richard,

The textures in the sandstone and the patterns in the plumage of the owl combine very nicely to create a lot of visual interest in your image, then the great eye contact adds even more.

A lovely & appealing image as posted.

Registered on June 25, 2007, 491 Posts, 12566 Comments

Comment posted by Rob Drummond on December 4, 2009 at 6:36 AM

This is amazing Richard. The light is superb, detailed and the stare is wonderful.

cheers
Rob

Registered on November 8, 2003, 617 Posts, 8267 Comments

Comment posted by David Sparks on December 4, 2009 at 8:32 AM

Wonderful! You really took advantage of an unusual opportunity.

Registered on May 26, 2007, 290 Posts, 4270 Comments

Comment posted by Kirk Greene on December 4, 2009 at 11:16 PM

I never knew..what a great opp! Good job with the comp & techs!

Registered on May 12, 2004, 191 Posts, 1578 Comments

Comment posted by Ron Dudley on December 5, 2009 at 9:24 AM

I'd kill (almost) for this opportunity and image Richard. The setting is wonderfully unusual, esp when combined with the great eye contact from the owl. At f/5.6 I'm slightly surprised that you got the foreground sandstone this sharp but I'm certainly happy for you that you did. Excellent job of making the best of an unexpected opportunity!

Registered on March 30, 2007, 437 Posts, 10915 Comments

Comment posted by Ron Dudley on December 7, 2009 at 6:43 PM

Congrats on the WP Richard. I'd have probably picked this image this week too. It's beautiful and very unique.

Registered on March 30, 2007, 437 Posts, 10915 Comments

Comment posted by SandyRichardsBrown on December 8, 2009 at 3:56 AM

Gorgeous shot!
Congrats on the EP!
Sandy r

Registered on November 24, 2003, 3937 Posts, 12909 Comments

Comment posted by Simon Bennett on December 8, 2009 at 4:14 AM

Glorious image - owl and sandstone both outstanding.

Registered on February 4, 2007, 350 Posts, 4614 Comments

Comment posted by Cheryl Molennor on December 8, 2009 at 9:53 AM

Yes is right, Great image Congratulations

Registered on June 30, 2009, 300 Posts, 5051 Comments

Comment posted by Angela Classen on December 8, 2009 at 9:52 PM

What a gorgeous shot! I really like the diagonal bit of sandstone the owl is perched on. Congrats on the EP!

Registered on June 13, 2007, 434 Posts, 2742 Comments

Comment posted by Sam Rua on December 21, 2009 at 1:02 AM

Well done all around, Richard. Congrats on the EP.

Registered on September 9, 2006, 130 Posts, 2281 Comments