Burrowing Owl

Gallery: AvianPosted November 30, 20042,265 views14 comments

Burrowing Owl (Athene cunicularia)

Place: Gilbert, AZ, USA
Date: November 2004
Equipment: Nikon D70, Nikkor AF-S 300/2.8 & TC20E (= 600/5.6), tripod
ISO 320, aperture priority matrix metered, 1/125 @ F/10
Minor crop

From my second day of shooting digital. This bird is part of a relocated colony displaced by the continous urban sprawl of metro Phoenix. It is representative of a favorite style of mine – understated color and graphic shapes. The cold (for Phoenix) morning temperature has caused the owl to fluff out, and I like how it repeats the shape of the rock. I also like how the owl is partially hidden by the rock.

Honest critiques requested; all comments appreciated.

Comments

14 comments

Comment posted by Milo Burcham on November 30, 2004 at 8:49 PM

Works for me. Especially how the sharp form of the owl contrasts with the OOF rock. Very striking.

Registered on November 1, 2003, 80 Posts, 584 Comments

Comment posted by Ofer Levy on November 30, 2004 at 8:53 PM

I love it!!!!

Registered on July 23, 2004, 172 Posts, 1513 Comments

Comment posted by Bob Steele on November 30, 2004 at 10:26 PM

Rich, everything about this shot is outstanding - from the lighting, to the shapes, to the techs in the image. I'm quite certain that this owl would have let you move to get frontal lighting and eliminate the rock from the foreground. But your vision is apparent in the design of the image, and a wonderful image it is.

Registered on November 1, 2003, 354 Posts, 13896 Comments

Comment posted by Steve Heironymus on November 30, 2004 at 10:52 PM

Richard, This is just wonderful! As is typical of your work.

Registered on November 1, 2003, 36 Posts, 1110 Comments

Comment posted by Chris Ross on November 30, 2004 at 11:08 PM

Like the sidelighting in this one, exposure looks good. I like the stare from the owl. This would also look good as a vertical comp. Either way the rock is an important component in this shot.

Registered on November 1, 2003, 403 Posts, 2729 Comments

Comment posted by KC Choo on December 1, 2004 at 12:34 AM

This is just stunning! I keep coming back to view the image.

Kwan Choo,
West Vancouver, B.C.

Registered on November 15, 2004, 519 Posts, 8278 Comments

Comment posted by Hans Van Rafelghem on December 1, 2004 at 7:02 AM

This is a fantastic image. The form of the bird is repeated in the rock.

Registered on November 25, 2003, 82 Posts, 300 Comments

Comment posted by Garth McElroy on December 1, 2004 at 8:26 AM

I agree with the others Rich. Without the rock this image would not work for me. Good eye!!

Registered on November 1, 2003, 248 Posts, 4406 Comments

Comment posted by Lesley Mattuchio on December 1, 2004 at 8:27 AM

If this is your second of shooting digital I can't wait to see your third! Fabulous shot !

Registered on July 14, 2004, 36 Posts, 322 Comments

Comment posted by Tom Grey on December 1, 2004 at 9:32 AM

I love it, mostly as everyone says for the rock/bird comp -- but also for how the side-lighting works so well, which required the exposure being just so.

Registered on December 2, 2003, 144 Posts, 2069 Comments

Comment posted by Wayne Richardson on December 1, 2004 at 7:15 PM

Hi Rich

An unusual perspective on a BO. Very nice use of light, shape & texture.

Now don't get too arty with that damn digital thingy!!!

Registered on November 1, 2003, 34 Posts, 304 Comments

Comment posted by Tam Stuart on December 1, 2004 at 8:21 PM

I love the lighting. Super job of keeping it under control and within available dynamic range. The bird's stare is something to behold.

Registered on November 17, 2003, 113 Posts, 1600 Comments

Comment posted by Steven Bein on December 2, 2004 at 11:07 AM

Richard, the side lighting and shadow detail, composition , shapes etc make this a wonderful photo. It is great to see a wonderful working image that is not pointing your shadow at the subject. the background is excellent and there is enough negative space for commercial use and text on the left. Great work

Registered on November 12, 2003, 230 Posts, 209 Comments

Comment posted by Jonathan Sacks on December 8, 2004 at 12:12 PM

This is indeed a wonderful shot and excellent composition as all of the previous comments have said. I do like both the rock and the sidelighting. And for whatever reason I think owls are super cool.

However, if you were looking for a critique, my one comment would be that the face and front of the owl is a bit dark for my taste. Obviously, that's due to the dramatic sidelighting. A little tweaking in PS with levels/curves or possibly dodge and burn might enable you to bring up the exposure a bit without losing that special sidelighting.

Congratulations again on a terrific image.

Registered on February 10, 2004, 9 Posts, 60 Comments