Short-eared Owl

Nice catch!
Fine detail, lovely BG and very nice pose.
Seems to need some CCW rotation to straighten the owl, as evidenced by the non-perpendicular beak.
Sandy

A great look at this owl David. Love the detail in the larger version. Very nice sharpness and I love the perch and the BG. Not sure about the need for rotation. Bad judge of that, so I will leave that to others to judge. Overall a super shot.

The owl looks great Dave and I really like the background too. All the colors go together very well here and I enjoy the old post perch. I also like your slightly unconventional composition as I think it's interesting. Personally I see no need for rotation. I like this a lot.

David, excellent colors and great background. The eyes have it , as they are beautiful. I would do a small rotation but it is not mandatory as this is a fine image as is. Well done!!

Great looking owls and really nice eye contact. Could use just a little rotation.

That's a beauty! I think that just a touch of CCW rotation would help. Right now the bird's leaning backwards a bit. Beautiful image, regardless! How do you like the e5? Is there much difference from the e3?

Nice light and detail on the owl. I'm not sure on the composition and wonder where you made the crop. I would have moved the owl and post up and to the right here, trading empty background for more of the post.

Kudos, David! I am still looking for one perched close! IMO there's no rotation required.

I love it just as posted. Those eyes are captivating as owls eyes almost always are. Love the warm clean background and the rustic wood perch.

Thanks for the comments from all.......much appreciated.

Nice light and detail on the owl. I'm not sure on the composition and wonder where you made the crop. I would have moved the owl and post up and to the right here, trading empty background for more of the post.
Richard Ditch

Richard,
In this particular shot, that's as low on the post that I could go. I got lots of shots and in another few there is much more post....but the problem is I was further back down the road and when he looked at me, his right eye was in the dark. I like it mostly in the light here. I do have more room to my left, so I could add canvas there. Might try a different pose later, but I also got a different shortie today, too, so will probably post one of it.

How do you like the e5? Is there much difference from the e3?
Mike Twaddell

Mike,
I am still testing with the E5, and the weather hasn't been too good to do much worthwhile with it. I do like it more, though, and with the addition of the 150mm f2 lens at the same time, I think that combo is going to be great come spring and summer for how I shoot. I seem to be having a focus problem with my E5 and 50-200 lens when using it with the EC20, but I will get that figured out.....might just need a little cleaning of the contact points on the lens. Love the 150, though!

This guy and the other one we found today were the first ones we have seen since November, so we were happy to get them.

Beautiful owl. Colors look real good and the perch and BG are great matches for this subject.

Excellent image of this beautiful bird!

Great shot David - like the comp and a wonderfully complementary background

cheers
Rob

Lovely shot Dave! Sweet BG.

A lovely short-eared owl David, love the beautiful tones and the pose of the owl, great eye contact too. I don't think I'd rotate this as old posts seem to lean one way or another quite often. I might have left more room on the left and taken a little off of the right side of the frame, but that is just my personal preference.

*edited for typos

Superb shot- great pose, colours and details (terrific on larger version)- Bravo, Fabio

Simply superb, David. The beautifully smooth BG makes the shot for me, and the perch isn't too bad either, excellent work.

Andy...

Stunning shot love those eyes

David,
I love that intense stare. Great detail and background.