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Short-eared Owl
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Short-eared Owl

by Ron Dudley

Gallery: AvianPosted January 30, 2011320 views35 comments
Another SEO from our trip to Red Rock Lakes NWR last summer. Low light for flight shots was a challenge as you can see from my techs. This shot was taken two clicks before my post of 6/27/10 and the two photos are similar, though I feel that the direct eye contact here gives this image a significantly different feel. Background is sagebrush flats at bottom, the base of the Centennial Mountains at top.

7D, 1/1000, f/5.6, ISO 800, 500 f/4, 1.4 tc, shot from pickup window on 6/26/10, cropped to 50% of original image, small exposure adjustment in ACR, sharpened bird and vole, NR to background, no additional processing or adjustments, not set up, called in or baited

Larger version provided

Comments/critique appreciated

Comments

35 comments
Comment posted by Rodney Ninow on January 30, 2011 at 5:22 PM
Beautiful image! Super sharp, great detail in the bird's face, nice job.
Registered on January 11, 2009, 7 Posts, 123 Comments
Comment posted by Sharon Hallowell on January 30, 2011 at 5:56 PM
Killer image! Prey, eye contact and bg all put this over the top! Nice job. Sharon
Registered on November 1, 2003, 392 Posts, 4810 Comments
Comment posted by Ron Bielefeld on January 30, 2011 at 6:05 PM
Really an impressive image Ron. Love the eyes and the vole. IQ is great and the BG adds interest without distracting from the bird at all. Sure would love to run into one of these birds some day. Well done.
Registered on December 6, 2008, 360 Posts, 7132 Comments
Comment posted by Gary Marquart on January 30, 2011 at 6:06 PM
I guess it's ok if it's the best you can do. :smile: Super shot! Looks mighty fine especially for ISO-800. I like the eyes and the stare. Very nice background and of course the catch is a big bonus.
Registered on October 24, 2009, 126 Posts, 799 Comments
Comment posted by Dan Walters on January 30, 2011 at 6:42 PM
Really like that eye contact and the mouse in the talons. Great action.
Registered on October 30, 2005, 405 Posts, 3693 Comments
Comment posted by Ken Archer on January 30, 2011 at 7:14 PM
Smoking photo Ron :eek:

Ken Archer
Registered on October 28, 2004, 222 Posts, 6683 Comments
Comment posted by Dan Moore on January 30, 2011 at 7:20 PM
This would have been ideal for the weekly challenge as well. Your flight shots are always wonderful.

Dan
Registered on February 11, 2010, 143 Posts, 1248 Comments
Comment posted by Richard Ditch on January 30, 2011 at 7:21 PM
Another amazing image a wonderful series. I'd be more thanm thrilled to have taken this.
Registered on November 1, 2003, 1031 Posts, 12705 Comments
Comment posted by Marc Dubuc on January 30, 2011 at 10:16 PM
Fantastic shot Ron!
Registered on January 4, 2011, 59 Posts, 229 Comments
Comment posted by Alex Mody on January 31, 2011 at 1:03 AM
Well, this is perfect, but I'm guessing you knew that already. Kudos. :toast:
Registered on December 25, 2007, 163 Posts, 1896 Comments
Comment posted by Balan Vinod on January 31, 2011 at 1:28 AM
Another beautiful image from you Ron ...nice eye contact and the comp is very good too with a nice BG ..well done

Balan Vinod
Registered on March 20, 2006, 889 Posts, 2312 Comments
Comment posted by Andy Shepherd on January 31, 2011 at 4:57 AM

Simply superb, Ron. Love the intent stare your getting from the owl, and to capture it with prey in it's talons is so good. I'm certainly very envious of this one, Ron.

Andy...
Registered on September 24, 2006, 123 Posts, 1254 Comments
Comment posted by Rob Drummond on January 31, 2011 at 5:38 AM
Great eye contact Ron and a wonderful background

cheers
Rob
Registered on November 8, 2003, 617 Posts, 8267 Comments
Comment posted by Mia McPherson on January 31, 2011 at 6:38 AM
You know I love this bird Ron and you have done him justice with this image. Love the background and the intense eyes. The prey in the feet too
Registered on June 25, 2007, 491 Posts, 12566 Comments
Comment posted by Jagdeep Rajput on January 31, 2011 at 6:39 AM
Stunning capture!!!
Jagdeep Rajput :toast:
Registered on April 29, 2008, 686 Posts, 2857 Comments
Comment posted by Howard Cheek on January 31, 2011 at 7:34 AM
Wonderful image Ron, I especially like this head-on view.
I'd be proud to call this mine :toast:
Registered on July 24, 2008, 1201 Posts, 10758 Comments
Comment posted by Brian Gatlin on January 31, 2011 at 8:24 AM
wow, Ron, I love the head on look. can't ask for much more from this series of images: great bird, great flight shot with prey, fantastic bg, and a lot of skill making a challenging situation come out just right.
Registered on March 21, 2009, 202 Posts, 4187 Comments
Comment posted by Butch Lama on January 31, 2011 at 10:55 AM
In short words, its one of the best...the BG makes the Owl pop out.
Registered on July 23, 2010, 42 Posts, 316 Comments
Comment posted by Rohn B. McKee on January 31, 2011 at 10:58 AM
Tack sharp edge to edge. Great photograph Ron. Another "hen pecked" trip with food for the Fam. Did you get the impression the female was a bit demanding?
Registered on November 18, 2008, 109 Posts, 415 Comments
Comment posted by Ron Dudley on January 31, 2011 at 11:06 AM
Did you get the impression the female was a bit demanding?
Rohn - she wasn't only demanding, she was downright threatening to the male every time he delivered a vole. Very interesting behavior and it was hilarious to watch how gingerly he would deliver the meal.
Registered on March 30, 2007, 437 Posts, 10915 Comments
Comment posted by Monica Siri on January 31, 2011 at 11:26 AM
Ron,
I can't imagine this being any better. Bravo! :toast:
Registered on September 20, 2009, 132 Posts, 3764 Comments
Comment posted by Darren Colello on January 31, 2011 at 12:21 PM
Another winner Ron. Excellent image in all regards. :toast: :toast:
Registered on July 27, 2009, 175 Posts, 1100 Comments
Comment posted by KC Choo on January 31, 2011 at 12:36 PM
Another beauty that is over the top with the vole!
Registered on November 15, 2004, 519 Posts, 8278 Comments
Comment posted by Charlie VanTassel on January 31, 2011 at 2:20 PM
Good stuff, Ron. Very impressive. :toast:
Registered on October 18, 2006, 644 Posts, 4801 Comments
Comment posted by Graham Goddard on January 31, 2011 at 4:00 PM
very special image and all the better viewed large !
Registered on November 21, 2008, 66 Posts, 253 Comments
Comment posted by Simon Bennett on January 31, 2011 at 4:17 PM
Excellent!
Registered on February 4, 2007, 350 Posts, 4614 Comments
Comment posted by David Williams on January 31, 2011 at 5:59 PM
Great action captured of one of my favorite birds, Ron. Love the eye contact!
:toast:
Registered on March 8, 2005, 315 Posts, 2291 Comments
Comment posted by Steve Balke on January 31, 2011 at 9:02 PM
I agree, Ron, the eye contact does make a large difference here. Although both are beautiful images I think this one has the edge because it's more personal. Like everyone else, I'm bowled over by these images. :toast: :toast:
Registered on June 18, 2009, 229 Posts, 2915 Comments
Comment posted by Steve Canuel on January 31, 2011 at 11:45 PM
Beautiful shot. Great head on view, wing position, BG colors, and a nice assist by the vole.
Registered on September 12, 2010, 53 Posts, 660 Comments
Comment posted by Gary Gulash on February 1, 2011 at 12:05 AM
I overlooked this one Ron, excellent as usual. Stellar view and just love the pastel background. :toast: :toast: :toast:
Registered on January 28, 2005, 879 Posts, 12098 Comments
Comment posted by Joe Vincent on February 1, 2011 at 6:00 AM
You're killing me with these shots Ron! Just sweeet! :toast:
Registered on August 16, 2005, 69 Posts, 792 Comments
Comment posted by Karen Summers on February 1, 2011 at 3:29 PM
cracking shot beautiful detail and well those eyes are stunning
Registered on December 3, 2009, 83 Posts, 818 Comments
Comment posted by Alan Bryant on February 1, 2011 at 4:10 PM
Sweet image Ron

:toast:
Registered on March 31, 2006, 473 Posts, 1081 Comments
Comment posted by Geoffrey Baker on February 1, 2011 at 6:03 PM
Awesome!
I'd be delighted to have one like this in my portfolio, one day maybe.
Well done Ron.

Geoff.
Registered on August 20, 2010, 192 Posts, 980 Comments
Comment posted by Albert Darmo on February 2, 2011 at 1:07 PM
Hi Ron :wavey: My comment did not go through :confused: Sometimes i forget to push "add comment.". When your crowding 80. things like this happin :biggrin: Your work has always inspired me. this shot is no exception. Love everything about it. especially the eye contact :toast: :toast:
Albert Darmo. Canada
Registered on November 25, 2008, 1386 Posts, 11978 Comments