Burrowing Owl

Gallery: AvianPosted October 26, 2010360 views22 comments

I've had the opportunity to photograph burrowing owls many times here in New Mexico. Each time, I've been presented with a nice owl against a brown background...... I've never been happy with any of those captures. This little guy was photographed at Cape Coral in Florida. It was a nice change to have a a little grass and a soft green / yellow background.

Late afternoon light. Worked in post processing to bring a little more light into the "shadowed" eye.

500mm f/4 with 1.4x TC
Handheld laying flat on the ground
1/200 @ f/5.6
No flash (catchlight is from the sun).
Small Crop from the bottom.

Comments

22 comments

Comment posted by Dan Walters on October 26, 2010 at 9:17 PM

Very nice! Like the low angle and the eyes really stand out!

Registered on October 30, 2005, 405 Posts, 3693 Comments

Comment posted by Dan Moore on October 26, 2010 at 9:20 PM

Very haunting eyes and I do like the BG.
Very nice.

Dan

Registered on February 11, 2010, 143 Posts, 1248 Comments

Comment posted by Richard Ditch on October 26, 2010 at 9:50 PM

"Haunting eyes" - exactly.

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

Comment posted by Gary Gulash on October 26, 2010 at 10:04 PM

An excellent portrait Keith. The low angle and vertical format made all the difference. A species I would love to photograph some day, they have become very scarce here in Alberta unfortunately.

Registered on January 28, 2005, 879 Posts, 12098 Comments

Comment posted by Angela McCain on October 26, 2010 at 10:43 PM

Great image. You have recaptured the shadowed eye well and both of them really POP. Image is very sharp with great detail. Well done.

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

Comment posted by Dennis Plank on October 26, 2010 at 10:50 PM

Excellent, Keith. Interesting viewpoint with those long legs hidden by the foliage. I has a whole different personality.

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

Comment posted by KC Choo on October 26, 2010 at 11:43 PM

Very well done - I agree the greenery is very nice!

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

Comment posted by Robert Bunch on October 27, 2010 at 1:23 AM

Great capture of this little guy.

Registered on May 18, 2004, 124 Posts, 2503 Comments

Comment posted by Rob Drummond on October 27, 2010 at 6:35 AM

Nice one Keith - I like the vibrant colours and the over-the-shoulder look. I'd probably prefer a tiny bit more room around the bird.

cheers
Rob

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

Comment posted by Ákos Lumnitzer on October 27, 2010 at 7:22 AM

Love the eyes! it's an incredibly impressive shot with the sideighting. I just love it Keith!

Registered on April 24, 2004, 25 Posts, 510 Comments

Comment posted by Christopher Dodds on October 27, 2010 at 9:35 AM

Just lovely with the OOF vegetation in the front, and great oof background. Super portrait.

Registered on October 14, 2010, 9 Posts, 46 Comments

Comment posted by mark cillo on October 27, 2010 at 10:11 AM

This is absolutely beautiful! Great work

Registered on July 27, 2008, 143 Posts, 1483 Comments

Comment posted by Darren Colello on October 27, 2010 at 12:09 PM

Wow, very impressive image. Well done Keith.

Registered on July 27, 2009, 175 Posts, 1100 Comments

Comment posted by Danny Laredo on October 27, 2010 at 12:33 PM

This is outstanding Keith.

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

Comment posted by Michael Lotito on October 27, 2010 at 12:41 PM

Killer good eyes round out this great shot!

Registered on June 26, 2009, 181 Posts, 1558 Comments

Comment posted by Luke Ormand on October 27, 2010 at 2:49 PM

Great lighting on the eye and details in the face - I look forward to one day photographing tihs species

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

Comment posted by Ron Dudley on October 27, 2010 at 4:25 PM

Owls eyes often get the focus of our attention but I think these are extra appealing Keith. This relatively tight comp works well for me and I also appreciate the greens in the setting, as you mention. Very nice.

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

Comment posted by Dan Harbour on October 27, 2010 at 7:15 PM

This is great, Keith. I love your background colors too. Excellent capture of the owl, stunning eyes.

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

Comment posted by Ken Archer on October 28, 2010 at 2:42 AM

Sweeeet!!! Excellent Portrait Kieth!

Ken Archer

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

Comment posted by Paolo De Faveri on October 28, 2010 at 4:04 PM

Simply stunning Keith. Details on the face are perfect and those eyes look almost backlit... though I'm pretty sure owls have not leds in their eyes...

Paolo

Registered on August 29, 2007, 318 Posts, 1651 Comments

Comment posted by Mia McPherson on October 30, 2010 at 3:49 PM

Really lovely and quite intimate with the close crop. Beautiful eyes and natural colors.

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

Comment posted by Nate Chappell on October 30, 2010 at 11:22 PM

Sweet portrait Keith, the subtle sidelighting makes this one for me.

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