2005 Irruption

Gallery: AvianPosted March 24, 2011215 views8 comments

Back in late 2005, western Washington experienced a rare snowy owl irruption. We had one or two birds hanging out in Seattle, but the majority of the owls were down along the Pacific Coast. I traveled down for a weekend, allowing myself one morning to find them, and managed to see five or six owls out along a grassy spit.

Unfortunately, I only had a borrowed 100-400mm lens, so I never got as close to them as I would have liked. Soon afterward I purchased my 500mm lens and teleconverter, but I'm still waiting for the next irruption so I can finally shoot the snowies again.

Canon 20D
Canon 100-400mm IS
ISO 200
1/3200
f/5

Max

Comments

8 comments

Comment posted by Joel DeYoung on March 24, 2011 at 8:19 AM

Borrowed lens or not, you did well. The owl is nice and sharp with good colors. I like how you see the environment you found the bird in. The composition is a little too centered for my tastes. If you have the room you might try a different crop.

Nicely done.

Registered on July 12, 2009, 92 Posts, 1074 Comments

Comment posted by Ken Canning on March 24, 2011 at 12:14 PM

Very nice scenic/environmental presentation. The log perch and the distant mountains give a great sense of place. I agree with Joel that the bird is too centered and a re-crop may enhance the image. Good luck with that next irruption!

Registered on February 10, 2004, 88 Posts, 549 Comments

Comment posted by Nancy Lea Sandy on March 24, 2011 at 7:52 PM

Central position doesn't bother me. He's 'framed' by the dry seed heads which are nice. I think cropping out the oof mountains would be a better choice. Good detail in the whites.

Registered on January 24, 2011, 576 Posts, 6942 Comments

Comment posted by Ken Archer on March 25, 2011 at 2:19 AM

I remember that invasion fondly. Sweet bird-scape Max!!! I agree with Joel on the centered comp, perhaps a bit more depth of field would have brought more detail to the distant mountain range.

Ken Archer

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

Comment posted by Morkel Erasmus on March 25, 2011 at 1:47 PM

I dig the wider perspective here!! I do think you might tone down the highlights on the owl some as there must be some more detail to recover there?

Registered on March 22, 2011, 385 Posts, 2068 Comments

Comment posted by Jim Hackley on March 25, 2011 at 4:23 PM

I like habitat shots and this one really give a sense of place with the background mountains. The centered composition is fine with me
and I like how the one eye is just barely open, well seen and well done.

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

Comment posted by Nate Chappell on March 26, 2011 at 5:09 PM

I remember thinking I should make it down to the coast for that but never made the trip. Nice image Max, I think the mountains in the bg add a lot. The comp is too centered for my tastes and I would prefer the bird more in the llc.

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

Comment posted by mark cillo on March 28, 2011 at 9:44 AM

This is a really nice shot. I do think the bird looks slightly "hot" but I like the inclusion of mountains and environment. I would be tempted to see a vertical comp to make the owl seem less centered.

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