Short Eared Owl on Post

Gallery: AvianPosted September 3, 2011165 views11 comments

This is another picture from my trip with my dad to Saskatchewan in April, but like the falcon I posted it is actually from Alberta.

My dad decided to drive the backroads instead of the highway and after dinner we drove by a bird on a post and we both whipped our heads around and said, was that an owl? We turned the truck around and slowly drove back and sure enough it was a short-eared owl! We ended up seeing seven that night and 5 great horned owls!

I know the dirt in the background is a little distracting but I love how this owl is looking right at us and how its colours match the post it is perched on.

It was hard to decide the crop and rotation because the wires are running a little downhill so I couldn't make them straight without making the post and owl lean! I hope this works but please tell me if you think I can make it better. Also if anyone knows if this is a male or female I would love to know!

Thank you!

Nikon D7000
Nikkor 300mm f/4 AF-S with 1.4TC
ISO 250
1/320sec @ f/5.6
beanbag mounted from truck window
cropped to about 70% of original

Comments

11 comments

Comment posted by Harry Harris on September 3, 2011 at 7:46 AM

Marlise, I really like this image. I love owls. I have not even seen one since I started photographing birds two years ago and it has been many, many years since I have seen one. I agree with your crop, keeping the post vertical. The owl is so sharp and the background is OOF so I do not think the dirt is distracting. The look on the owl's face is great. Wonderful image

Skip Harris

Registered on August 2, 2010, 169 Posts, 741 Comments

Comment posted by Jenaya Launstein on September 3, 2011 at 1:00 PM

Hey mar, sweet shot! You know I'm jealous right?

Looks like you have good sharpness. The dirt in the background does not distract me. Nice pose from him, too!

Registered on February 8, 2011, 254 Posts, 1302 Comments

Comment posted by S Govindarajan on September 3, 2011 at 1:01 PM

Very sharp owl, Marlise and very well composed. The owl is really giving you a look. I don't mind the crooked fence pose as I see the owl is perching straight up. Really like all the elements in this image.

Registered on April 19, 2008, 115 Posts, 1921 Comments

Comment posted by David Haynes on September 3, 2011 at 1:08 PM

Marlise,
You certainly have the attention of this guy. Can't think of a way to make this better. The crop you've chosen couldn't be better, the image is nice and sharp, and I love how you included the ground to give everything some perspective. Terrific exposure and lighting Marlise and I love the dead grass at the bottom of the frame. You certainly have another winner.

Registered on February 20, 2010, 110 Posts, 1511 Comments

Comment posted by Lorna Taylor on September 3, 2011 at 1:28 PM

Beautiful shot, love the sweet little face of this owl!

Registered on November 12, 2010, 254 Posts, 3083 Comments

Comment posted by Alan Murphy on September 3, 2011 at 2:33 PM

Nice habitat image.

Registered on December 3, 2003, 192 Posts, 739 Comments

Comment posted by Hans Overduin on September 3, 2011 at 3:44 PM

Hi Marlise, I like the image a lot since it does not only show the bird, but also gives a good impression of the surroundings and the overall atmosphere. Needless to say that I envy you having such great species around

Well done ! Cheers, Hans

Registered on August 31, 2011, 491 Posts, 3807 Comments

Comment posted by Sally King on September 3, 2011 at 7:13 PM

A nice cool image for the middle of hot summer. Love how the owl is looking at the camera. No rotation needed IMO. I concur that the grasses at the bottom are a nice touch and should be left in whatever crop.

Registered on December 2, 2008, 416 Posts, 4450 Comments

Comment posted by Marlise Launstein on September 5, 2011 at 12:25 AM

Thank you for the comments!

Registered on August 31, 2011, 28 Posts, 175 Comments

Comment posted by Dennis Plank on September 5, 2011 at 6:04 PM

This works for me, Marlise. I like the post and I don't mind wires not being exactly level. Nice exposure and detail in the Owl.

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

Comment posted by Ashley Vincent on September 16, 2011 at 6:13 AM

Wonderful shot Marlise, and I love the choice for composition. If this were mine, I think I would be tempted to do a slight rotation CCW ... then again ... yeah, I see what you mean. Nah, second thoughts it already great like this ;^)

Registered on March 1, 2011, 154 Posts, 2083 Comments