Great Gray Portrait

Gallery: AvianPosted February 8, 2012230 views9 comments

I've been having excellent luck with Great Gray owls lately, seems to be a bit of an eruption in my area. It's a pretty tight portrait, I know, but does it feel cramped, or is it just right?

As always, comments & suggestions are greatly appreciated.

Anchorage, Alaska
Sony A200
Sigma 70-210 @ 210mm
1/640 sec @ f3.2
iso 100

Comments

9 comments

Comment posted by Mauro Pasquero on February 8, 2012 at 3:47 AM

Terrific portrait. Guy !!!
Mauro

Registered on January 21, 2010, 650 Posts, 2500 Comments

Comment posted by Mark Deibert on February 8, 2012 at 8:50 AM

I like it, Guy! It's close, in your face, and intimidating! What a stern gaze! Eyes are good and sharp and well lit. Well done!

Registered on September 30, 2011, 48 Posts, 125 Comments

Comment posted by Jim Hackley on February 8, 2012 at 5:07 PM

Those eyes really draw you in with the darker circle pattern around the head. For me it seems a little tight and I would like to see a little more of that nice blue to the left and top but a minor item. A very nice owl portrait as is, you must of been very close with a 210 mm lens.

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

Comment posted by Richard Ditch on February 8, 2012 at 6:13 PM

Too tight for me as well. How did you manage to get this close with such a short lens?

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

Comment posted by Cheryl Molennor on February 8, 2012 at 7:57 PM

Love the expression and I do like the tight comp. I wish for more detail which may be needing some sharpening olnly?

Registered on June 30, 2009, 300 Posts, 5051 Comments

Comment posted by Angela McCain on February 8, 2012 at 9:54 PM

Amazing close up of this owl. I'd be more comfortable with a looser crop. I'd also consider just a little bump in contrast and brightness.

Registered on April 19, 2009, 367 Posts, 3589 Comments

Comment posted by Jim DeWitt on February 9, 2012 at 12:21 AM

A nice Great Grey, Guy. Amazingly close for this somewhat spooky species. You've to the facial disk and the "tie" perfect. I agree with Angela on a touch more contrast. The tight comp doesn't bother me: it emphasizes the bird's size.

Registered on August 28, 2006, 1240 Posts, 8506 Comments

Comment posted by Guy Runco on February 9, 2012 at 1:55 AM

Thanks for the helpful comments everyone, much appreciated. This is one of 6 Great Gray's that have been consistently seen in the same general vicinity near my home lately. I was lucky enough to watch 3 of them hunt for a while in the daylight last weekend. They don't seem to have any fear of people whatsoever and often land extremely close to you, on Saturday the one in this shot even tried to land on my head!

Registered on September 9, 2008, 77 Posts, 705 Comments

Comment posted by Jorne de Bruin on February 9, 2012 at 2:26 PM

Beautiful bird and love the intense look!

Registered on June 26, 2008, 178 Posts, 2136 Comments