Barn Owl

Gallery: AvianPosted November 28, 2010257 views22 comments

Soon after I began photographing birds I posted an image of this owl but in my ignorance I had cropped off the tip of the right wing at lower right (didn't recognize it as being part of the bird - duh). So I thought I'd give it another go.

A blizzard had just hit the refuge where I was shooting and on my way out I found this bird hunkered down at the bottom of a deep stream bed, probably in an effort to escape the wind and snow. I do wish the OOF foliage wasn't in front of the owl but I've always liked the shot anyway.

40D, 1/320, f/7.1, ISO 500, 500 f/4, 1.4 tc, shot from pickup window on 1/15/08, small exposure adjustment in ACR, cropped to 82% of original image (full frame horizontally), sharpened bird, no additional processing or adjustments, natural (cloudy) light, not set up or baited

Larger image provided

Comments/critique appreciated

Comments

22 comments

Comment posted by Ron Bielefeld on November 28, 2010 at 5:41 PM

Love the sharpness and detail in the larger verson Ron. The plumage patterning on the wing area really grabs me and keeps me looking as does the face. The vege in front does not matter to me one bit. Overall a really nice image of a species I have no images of. Never seen them here except at night. Love the new Copyright Logo.

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

Comment posted by Richard Ditch on November 28, 2010 at 5:42 PM

Very nice image, and an opportunity I'd love to have sometime.

And thanks for putting my initials on it!

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

Comment posted by Ron Dudley on November 28, 2010 at 6:26 PM

Charlie, I wondered about that too because of the wind but the owl was in an area somewhat protected from the wind and that stem leans steeply towards me so my best guess is that it's a DOF issue.

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

Comment posted by KC Choo on November 28, 2010 at 6:34 PM

This is great and the foliage you mention is no distraction at all.

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

Comment posted by Ian Macdermott on November 28, 2010 at 6:39 PM

Beautiful shot Ron

wonderful detail on the Owl the bits in front in no way distract from the image as least not for me .

Registered on January 31, 2008, 15 Posts, 135 Comments

Comment posted by Gary Marquart on November 28, 2010 at 6:50 PM

Nice find Ron, I would be pleased with this shot.

Registered on October 24, 2009, 126 Posts, 799 Comments

Comment posted by Dennis Plank on November 28, 2010 at 10:52 PM

Gorgeous, Ron. I don't remember this one, but I remember your other Barn Owl images from that winter. I like the half closed eyes and the impression of cold.

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

Comment posted by SandyRichardsBrown on November 29, 2010 at 12:19 AM

He sure does look cold!
The vegetation doesn't bother me a bit, with this great pose, the eyes, and the detail.
Sandy

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

Comment posted by Gary Gulash on November 29, 2010 at 1:56 AM

Hi Ron. I can definitely understand why you like the photo. The owl is beautiful, love the way you captured the colors. The snow on the ground echos the white on the owl wonderfully. I'm not sure about the foreground dried plant, its color is harmonious with the over all image and really doesn't distract me. However, there appears to be a bit of motion blur on the plant which I feel isn't ideal. Minor nit at any rate. I would be very happy to call this mine, good work Ron.

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

Comment posted by Andy Shepherd on November 29, 2010 at 6:07 AM

Thats a lovely Barn Owl shot, Ron. The great setting makes for a very pleasing image.

Andy...

Registered on September 24, 2006, 123 Posts, 1254 Comments

Comment posted by Mia McPherson on November 29, 2010 at 10:12 AM

A very lovely and appealing Barn Owl image Ron. Love the setting, the cold feel/mood to the image, the wonderful details & sharpness. I also find the eyes being squinted interesting.

Love your new copyright logo

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

Comment posted by Ronnie Gaubert on November 29, 2010 at 10:50 AM

Hi Ron
Great shot of this marvelous owl. Not a common bird of the swamp. I've only seen two of them and both were at night. I'm with you on that foliage in front but I would take this in a heart beat.

Ronnie

Registered on November 1, 2003, 810 Posts, 3495 Comments

Comment posted by Monica Siri on November 29, 2010 at 11:45 AM

Ron,
absolutely no nits from here. Great capture.

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

Comment posted by Ken Archer on November 29, 2010 at 12:11 PM

I want one so bad, Great photo Ron

Ken Archer

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

Comment posted by Darren Colello on November 29, 2010 at 12:14 PM

What a gem! This is a beauty Ron. Exceptional image all around.

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

Comment posted by Terry Sohl on November 29, 2010 at 1:59 PM

This is so cool! What an unusual setting. The detail is just fabulous.

Registered on November 1, 2003, 513 Posts, 6889 Comments

Comment posted by Karen Summers on November 29, 2010 at 5:44 PM

Very nice image of one of my fav birds some lovely detail

Registered on December 3, 2009, 83 Posts, 818 Comments

Comment posted by Robert Bunch on November 30, 2010 at 8:47 AM

Excellent shot! Great sharpness and detail in the feathers. These are such great looking birds. I hope to get a shot of one this nice someday. I think they are fairly common where I live but so far I have only seen one. Sadly it was lying in the highway the victim of a collision with a vehicle.

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

Comment posted by Giorgio Gregori on November 30, 2010 at 5:12 PM

Another excellent shot , Ron .
I really like the setting (including the OOF foliage ) whose colors harmonize with those of the owl. The plumage is beautiful . Very nice the pillow of snow on which the bird rests .
Giorgio

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

Comment posted by Geoffrey Baker on November 30, 2010 at 6:56 PM

A really fine capture of a beautiful bird

Well done.

Geoff.

Registered on August 20, 2010, 192 Posts, 980 Comments

Comment posted by Doug Gilham on November 30, 2010 at 7:15 PM

What a great shot Ron. Love those squinting eyes and the barely visible talons. The detail in the feathers is amazing. The OOF vegetation really is not a big deal for me. Nice BG as well...well done.

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

Comment posted by Howard Cheek on February 4, 2011 at 8:03 AM

Very nice Ron, a species I would sure like to have in my files.
No nits from me, beautiful bird!

Registered on July 24, 2008, 1201 Posts, 10758 Comments