Avian - 1st HM

Gallery: EPA 2010Posted September 24, 20103,141 views49 comments

Avian Gallery - 1st Honorable Mention
Short-eared Owl

This is the male after landing on a sagebrush, transferring the vole from talons to beak, and taking off to deliver the vole to the female. The light was pretty low for flight shots so I had to make some compromises.

7D, 1/1600, f/5.6, ISO 800, 500 f/4, 1.4 tc, shot from pickup window on 6/24/10, exposure adjustment in ACR, cropped to 48% of original image, sharpened bird and prey, NR to background, no additional processing or adjustments, natural light, not baited

Larger image provided

Comments/critique appreciated

Comments

49 comments

Comment posted by Giorgio Gregori on September 24, 2010 at 5:55 PM

An image to be proud of. Excellent composition. The look of the bird is unforgettable. Light is very well managed, can appreciate details.
Giorgio

Registered on November 16, 2007, 87 Posts, 793 Comments

Comment posted by Buck Ward on September 24, 2010 at 5:59 PM

The wing position and the stare make this a terrific photo. The prey puts it over the top.

Registered on December 8, 2003, 96 Posts, 1917 Comments

Comment posted by Richard Ditch on September 24, 2010 at 6:09 PM

Nicely done, and the alleged compromises you made don't seem to have hurt the image.

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

Comment posted by Doug Gilham on September 24, 2010 at 6:21 PM

Very nice capture for any compromise you made Ron indeed. The look and the clarity in the eyes is excellent. The only thing I would possibly do is clone the stems from underneath the owl, but certainly a fine image as posted.

Registered on September 20, 2009, 77 Posts, 489 Comments

Comment posted by Ron Bielefeld on September 24, 2010 at 6:23 PM

I surrender! This is just too good Ron. Helps to have great subjects and habitat, but that does not matter without the skill to take advantage of such wonderful opportunities. Top-notch and then some.

Registered on December 6, 2008, 360 Posts, 7132 Comments

Comment posted by Keith Bauer on September 24, 2010 at 6:46 PM

This is really a stunner. Great timing. Love the stare and of course the vole just is icing on the cake. Splendid image.

Registered on November 20, 2003, 458 Posts, 4836 Comments

Comment posted by KC Choo on September 24, 2010 at 8:14 PM

Owls and voles add up to great images!

PS: Congrats on the EP!

Registered on November 15, 2004, 519 Posts, 8278 Comments

Comment posted by William Donnelly on September 24, 2010 at 10:10 PM

cool shot like the yellow in the eyes

Registered on February 1, 2004, 31 Posts, 54 Comments

Comment posted by Dennis Plank on September 24, 2010 at 11:53 PM

Nice one, Ron. Great action and I like the angle of the bird and it's wings.

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

Comment posted by Nate Chappell on September 25, 2010 at 12:08 AM

Another killer se owl shot Ron, sweet eye contact and the vole puts it over the top.

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

Comment posted by Nick Saunders on September 25, 2010 at 2:04 AM

A beauty Ron. Love the eye-contact and prey

Registered on February 6, 2008, 321 Posts, 3035 Comments

Comment posted by SandyRichardsBrown on September 25, 2010 at 2:09 AM

Just terrific!
Yes, there is a bit of noise in the wings, but more than overcome by the pose, eyes, and prey.
I'd also suggest cloning out the lower reeds that intersect the owl.

A stunner!

Sandy r

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

Comment posted by Colin Pickett on September 25, 2010 at 3:31 AM

This is stunning image Ron fantastic eye contact well seen and captured.

Registered on December 30, 2004, 23 Posts, 156 Comments

Comment posted by Jagdeep Rajput on September 25, 2010 at 5:03 AM

It has all been said Ron!
Jagdeep Rajput

Registered on April 29, 2008, 686 Posts, 2857 Comments

Comment posted by Rob Drummond on September 25, 2010 at 6:36 AM

Anothert great shot Ron - love the eyes

cheers
Rob

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

Comment posted by Peter Conway on September 25, 2010 at 8:24 AM

Wonderful image Ron, Congratulations.

Peter

Registered on June 25, 2007, 347 Posts, 3913 Comments

Comment posted by Danny Laredo on September 25, 2010 at 10:06 AM

Wonderful flight pose and eye contact.

Registered on March 18, 2008, 71 Posts, 332 Comments

Comment posted by Sally King on September 25, 2010 at 11:48 AM

Wow. That is simply gorgeous. Not much else I can say about it.

Registered on December 2, 2008, 416 Posts, 4450 Comments

Comment posted by Troy Lim on September 25, 2010 at 1:26 PM

Stunning shot Ron.

Registered on February 25, 2010, 17 Posts, 50 Comments

Comment posted by Luke Ormand on September 25, 2010 at 1:42 PM

A really excellent shot given the low lighting and difficulty level - must have been something awesome to witness

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

Comment posted by Jim Hackley on September 25, 2010 at 1:47 PM

Way to go Ron, excellent flight shot from the pickup window. I like the look the owl is giving and the vole adds the final touch, the larger image was a pleasure to view, way to go.

Registered on September 17, 2009, 302 Posts, 5535 Comments

Comment posted by Bill Leggett on September 25, 2010 at 2:52 PM

Great eye contact. Ron!

Registered on July 21, 2004, 706 Posts, 3233 Comments

Comment posted by Ken Archer on September 25, 2010 at 5:13 PM

Awesome shot Ron

Ken Archer

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

Comment posted by Ian Mason on September 25, 2010 at 5:56 PM

This would have been impressive without the vole, but that makes it a very special image - just superb!

Registered on December 14, 2005, 399 Posts, 2305 Comments

Comment posted by Mia McPherson on September 25, 2010 at 8:32 PM

Great, intense look on the owl's face Ron, I sure wouldn't want to mess with him, or with the female since she seemed more ferocious. Love the setting, the subtle light, eye contact and the prey in the beak. Good times & good memories. Wonderful natural colors.

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

Comment posted by denise ippolito on September 25, 2010 at 8:42 PM

Fantastic job w/ the lighting. Excellent stare and prey. Nicely done.

Registered on December 17, 2009, 202 Posts, 1529 Comments

Comment posted by Butch Lama on September 25, 2010 at 9:08 PM

Great eye contact, impressive shot.

Registered on July 23, 2010, 42 Posts, 316 Comments

Comment posted by Steve Balke on September 25, 2010 at 10:52 PM

Outstanding capture, Ron. At first I was concerned that the vertical plants would be distracting. However, viewing the large image and seeing how well they blend into the background, they are not.

Registered on June 18, 2009, 229 Posts, 2915 Comments

Comment posted by Muhammad Zaid Wani on September 26, 2010 at 11:54 AM

Outstanding in every respect!

Registered on August 18, 2005, 23 Posts, 1406 Comments

Comment posted by Eva McDermott on September 28, 2010 at 8:12 PM

Congratulations on the EP Ron!

I am a landscape photographer and love the beauty and harsh reality of your image.

Registered on January 4, 2009, 1015 Posts, 13229 Comments

Comment posted by SandyRichardsBrown on September 28, 2010 at 10:02 PM

Congrats on another excellent EP!

Sandy r

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

Comment posted by Bill Chambers on September 29, 2010 at 8:47 AM

Great shot! Very much deserving of the EP - congrats!

Registered on April 10, 2005, 753 Posts, 21216 Comments

Comment posted by Daniel & Loana on September 29, 2010 at 2:53 PM

Simply wonderful.

Congrats on the EP!

D&L

Registered on October 7, 2008, 166 Posts, 3044 Comments

Comment posted by May Haga on September 29, 2010 at 5:28 PM

Amazing shot Ron. The bird coming towards you, prey in its mouth. Certainly would have been my choice for the weekly pick. Congratulations.
May

Registered on February 22, 2007, 714 Posts, 8470 Comments

Comment posted by Nate Chappell on September 29, 2010 at 6:24 PM

Congrats Ron

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

Comment posted by Simon Bennett on October 5, 2010 at 3:25 AM

Excellent!! - perfect head-turn, amazing eyes.

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

Comment posted by Fabio Giarrizzo on December 11, 2010 at 5:35 PM

Great capture- Love all the elements of this picture: light, details, pose and background- awesome image, Fabio

Registered on December 3, 2010, 90 Posts, 1614 Comments

Comment posted by SandyRichardsBrown on January 3, 2011 at 1:18 AM

Ron, big Congrats on the 2010 Avian 1st HM award!
Beautiful image!
Sandy

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

Comment posted by Carol Hyman on January 3, 2011 at 9:48 AM

Ron, Congratulations on the HM. Well deserved.

Happy New Year.

Carol

Registered on January 18, 2007, 597 Posts, 8062 Comments

Comment posted by Dan Harbour on January 3, 2011 at 3:00 PM

Congrats, Ron. Well deserved.

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

Comment posted by David Kjaer on January 3, 2011 at 4:09 PM

Congratulations Ron a wonderful image - love everything about it.

David

Registered on January 4, 2006, 128 Posts, 4170 Comments

Comment posted by Jeffrey Sipress on January 3, 2011 at 4:32 PM

That is some serious owl action. Excellent work on this capture. Congrats on the 2010 EP!

Registered on February 17, 2004, 236 Posts, 1197 Comments

Comment posted by Nate Chappell on January 3, 2011 at 10:44 PM

Congrats Ron!

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

Comment posted by Jim Hackley on January 4, 2011 at 2:49 PM

Congratulations on the Avian 1st HM, excellent shot.

Registered on September 17, 2009, 302 Posts, 5535 Comments

Comment posted by Monica Siri on January 4, 2011 at 3:14 PM

Congrats, Ron! Extraordinary image.

Registered on September 20, 2009, 132 Posts, 3764 Comments

Comment posted by Pat Sampson on January 5, 2011 at 8:15 PM

Congratulations Ron. What an incredible image.

pat

Registered on May 19, 2007, 953 Posts, 15989 Comments

Comment posted by Lee fisher on January 12, 2011 at 2:17 PM

Congrats Ron, a top shot,
Lee

Registered on September 10, 2010, 13 Posts, 89 Comments

Comment posted by Keith Bauer on January 12, 2011 at 6:58 PM

Congrats on your selection Ron

Registered on November 20, 2003, 458 Posts, 4836 Comments

Comment posted by Alex Mody on January 26, 2011 at 8:18 PM

This is the best SEO shot I have ever seen. Killer!

Registered on December 25, 2007, 163 Posts, 1896 Comments