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Barn Owl
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Barn Owl

by Ron Dudley

Gallery: AvianPosted December 18, 2012935 views14 comments
I ran across this image this morning while digging through old files for a blog post. This owl was hunting for voles along the edges of frosty stands of phragmites.

40D, 1/2000, f/8, ISO 400, 500 f/4, 1.4 tc, shot from tripod on 2/19/08, cropped to 58% of original image, minor exposure and saturation adjustment, sharpened bird, no additional processing or adjustments, natural light, no bait, no decoy, not set up or called in

Larger version provided

Comments/critique appreciated

Comments

14 comments
Comment posted by Tom Lusk on December 18, 2012 at 12:23 PM
This is incredible, Ron. I've never seen one of these beauties. They've basically been extirpated from my region.

I can't see how this could be improved. :toast:
Registered on September 17, 2005, 312 Posts, 600 Comments
Comment posted by James Allen on December 18, 2012 at 12:32 PM
If only there was an emoticon for a standing ovation! Well done Ron!
Registered on December 10, 2012, 14 Posts, 232 Comments
Comment posted by Richard Ditch on December 18, 2012 at 12:37 PM
I recall a previously posted image from this encounter and how amazing it was. This is another heart-stopper IMO.

Well done!
Registered on November 1, 2003, 1031 Posts, 12705 Comments
Comment posted by Ingrid Vekemans on December 18, 2012 at 12:54 PM
Beautiful shot. The BG fits the colours of the owl very well. :toast:
Grt, Ingrid.
Registered on August 2, 2010, 138 Posts, 780 Comments
Comment posted by Neil Rossmiller on December 18, 2012 at 1:41 PM
I can't imagine what treasures lie in your archives, Ron.
Your images are always a delight to behold.
Thanks for sharing.
Neil
Registered on October 30, 2009, 156 Posts, 749 Comments
Comment posted by Ron Bielefeld on December 18, 2012 at 2:50 PM
Oooh, sweet! Not much else to say, Ron. Just seeing one out flying during the day would be great for me.
Registered on December 6, 2008, 360 Posts, 7132 Comments
Comment posted by Charles Gangas on December 18, 2012 at 3:33 PM
Exceptional-which has become the ordinary for you Ron.
Registered on August 12, 2009, 544 Posts, 2414 Comments
Comment posted by David Sewell on December 18, 2012 at 5:16 PM
That is one classy image, Ron. Beautiful work.

David
Registered on September 10, 2008, 63 Posts, 801 Comments
Comment posted by Nate Chappell on December 18, 2012 at 8:45 PM
The phragmites give this really nice depth. Great sharpness on the facial disk, well done Ron :toast:
Registered on February 1, 2006, 1158 Posts, 19528 Comments
Comment posted by Jim Hackley on December 18, 2012 at 11:34 PM
Wonderful flight shot Ron. The larger image shows detail where it counts the most and I like how the owl's color seems to blend into the environment, way to go.
Registered on September 17, 2009, 302 Posts, 5535 Comments
Comment posted by S Govindarajan on December 18, 2012 at 11:48 PM
Excellent flight pose and a nice view of the environment. The larger version is just tops.
Registered on April 19, 2008, 115 Posts, 1921 Comments
Comment posted by Robert Bunch on December 19, 2012 at 1:54 PM
Excellent flight shot. I like the BG of tall grasses and the colors of the BG match the owl very nicely.
Registered on May 18, 2004, 124 Posts, 2503 Comments
Comment posted by Ken Archer on December 20, 2012 at 1:07 AM
A seemingly rare sight, finding one these beauties hunting in the daylight. You took full advantage of the opportunity too.

Awesome photo Ron!

Ken Archer
Registered on October 28, 2004, 222 Posts, 6683 Comments
Comment posted by Roger Leekam on December 21, 2012 at 5:05 PM
What an amazing shot! I can only gaze with envy.
Registered on May 28, 2009, 83 Posts, 646 Comments