Burrowing Owl

Richard, i really like this shot. The owl almost looks like it is posing to "I'm Cool". These birds do have some very great expressions. My day was spent at burrowing owl nests watching little ones that are just as cool>

What a wonderful expression! He looks quite stately. I like everything about this.

I am interested to hear more about which metering system is preferable and why. This is an area that I have never seen much discussion on, and I'm sure I could learn a lot. I think I was told early on the center weighted was the way to go and I've been using it ever since.

If you get a chance to talk about it I know I would appreciate it and I bet many others would too.

Peter

Nice, Richard. Excellent detail. These always look like such little dandies.

Cool Photo Richard....Glad they're back!!

The light looks just like in India! Great pose and expression. The blood on the face and fur(?) in the claws are cool in kind of a gory way and add a lot to the image.

While I like this image as presented, I feel this would benefit from a vertical comp.

Thanks for sharing this.

Peter: I've been shooting Nikons for almost 40 years now (as long as I've been married!) so I am very comfortable with Nikon metering. Center weighted was what I started out with, and I still use it with my ancient manual focus 200/4 macro and on the rare times when I use an old manual focus 300/4.5 (2 lenses that don't have the electronics to support matrix). Center weighting does well with "average" scenes where the tones aren't extreme and the lighting is fairly even. This owl shot fits that description well.

Matrix can be better than center weighted in situations with more complex subject/light conditions. When matrix first became available Nikon ads (and magazine reviews) talked a lot about how Nikon created a database of scenarios based on light distribution over the entire frame (like a matrix) and filled it with the exposure decisions of hundreds/thousands of professional photographers for subjects that matched those light distributions. In effect, matrix metering gives Nikon shooters professional experience for tricky lighting. I've used it long enough (at least for the 12 years I've had my 300/2.8) to know when it works and to trust it in those situations. Where I suspect it won't work (birds small in the frame with strong backlighting) I switch to spot metering.

I think Canon's evaluative mode is modeled on Nikon's matrix mode, but I don't know how they populated their database. But judging by the published pages of fudge factors for Canon meters for subject size and tone against various backgrounds I suspect it doesn't work as well as Nikon's. You'll be much better advised about Canon metering by experienced Canon users.

Glad they're back!!

- Richard Olsen

To be clear, this bird is not at he Gilbert Water Ranch. I didn't mean to give that impression. This bird and it's mate are in an bankrupt housing subdivision 8-10 miles from the GWR.

I feel this would benefit from a vertical comp.

- Govind

I thought that at the time and shot as a vertical as well, but the files just don't look as good to me as the horizontal ones. I couldn't get any closer than this, so the verticals show more dead space above and below. The background above turns dark gray just above what shows here - there's a plastic/rubber liner for an unfilled pond on the bank there. I'd need a lot more depth of field for the rock at the bottom if I included more of it.

very nice Richard, this is one cool looking owl, love the expression

Awesome shot, Richard. The expression of this Owl is really teerific! Good details,nice light.
Mauro

I like this a lot, Rich. a nice expression from the owl--he looks a little indignant about being photographed during breakfast. the feathers and blood are definitely pluses for me. comp here is perfect.

Don';t ylou just hate when that happens? I still havn't had a shot at these guys, maybe next yrear. Great expression

What an expression! Really a beautiful image.

What an awesome shot of this Burrowing Owl. He is definitely the center of interest. Sharp focus, and the background is just perfect.

Laura Stafford

Neat pose, bg and rock. The blood stains add a lot of interest. Before reading your response to Govind's comment I would have thought a vertical might be the way to go here too.

Dainty bird cloaked and surrounded by earthy tones. I really like the stance of the bird and the shadow "eye-liner".

I like the monochromatic look Richard, very nice detail/DOF.
I don't see that center-weighted caused any problems here..
I often use it, but matrix metering seems to work best in most situations of course..
Great bokeh, and those eyes really grab ya
Well done

Great detail and DOF of this typical pose. Love it.

I really like the very interesting look these owls can give. Wonderful background and the feeding aspect really adds to the image, well done.

The way these guys stand tall on those skinny legs always make me smile. A very nice capture.

Hi Richard,
Couldn't ask for any better image of this owl. Just enough view of the perch, lovely warm tones, sharp details and a nice smooth background. Perfect!
Thanks for posting,
Ronnie G.

Well done Richard. Can't think of anything I would want to change. I use matrix exclusively and override if I feel it's a unique lighting situation.