Strix nebulosa

Gallery: AvianPosted April 5, 2014625 views17 comments

I spent several days revisiting areas where several of these owls were hanging out in March. They spend all their time hunting; perched, listening and constantly scanning the ground for prey.
D4, 600VR, 320 iso, 1/1250, f7.1, 79% of original. tripod and Wimberley. No baiting. Nothing cloned here. (Froze my fingers pretty bad getting my owl photos as it was very cold, -20C vicinity at the time)

Comments

17 comments

Comment posted by SandyRichardsBrown on April 5, 2014 at 11:02 PM

On the top of my bucket list for sure.
Wonderful capture, great stare, and nice perch, although I'd remove that errant branch at the bottom.

Sandy

Registered on November 24, 2003, 3937 Posts, 12909 Comments

Comment posted by David Haynes on April 5, 2014 at 11:06 PM

Agree with Sandy. I have never seen a GGO and this one is stellar Gary. I also agree with Sandy about the branch right underneath the owl. I would feel good about removing that one little branch. Everything else is just awesome. Good that he let you get nice and close to him. Excellent image!

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

Comment posted by Dennis Plank on April 5, 2014 at 11:13 PM

Sweet, Gary. Given the head on look, the centered composition works nicely. Excellent detail.

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

Comment posted by Hans Overduin on April 6, 2014 at 4:16 AM

Totally with Sandy: high-listed here as well. And you did it

, Cheers, Hans

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

Comment posted by John Neukirch on April 6, 2014 at 7:16 AM

A really awesome capture and the conditions while maybe cold looked gorgeous. What's a few frozen fingers anyway. The small clone out has already been mentioned otherwise I wouldn't change a thing.

Registered on July 9, 2012, 207 Posts, 1476 Comments

Comment posted by Howard Cheek on April 6, 2014 at 9:38 AM

Nice work Gary, I agree with everyone's comments.
Excellent.

Registered on July 24, 2008, 1201 Posts, 10758 Comments

Comment posted by Jerry Austin on April 6, 2014 at 9:55 AM

I love these guys. A really nice capture. No nits from me.

Registered on January 6, 2012, 651 Posts, 3448 Comments

Comment posted by Richard Ditch on April 6, 2014 at 12:16 PM

Terrific image as presented. Great subject; great view; nice composition.

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

Comment posted by Barb Pflaum on April 6, 2014 at 1:29 PM

A very nice look at this owl! The pale blue color of the sky works very well as the bg in this image. I don't mind the small branch at the bottom. I think it fits in okay with the comp.

Registered on January 14, 2009, 316 Posts, 2724 Comments

Comment posted by Charlie VanTassel on April 6, 2014 at 4:15 PM

Another beauty, Gary. I like the simplicity of the composition. Worth freezing a little for.....

Registered on October 18, 2006, 644 Posts, 4801 Comments

Comment posted by Richard Olsen on April 6, 2014 at 7:58 PM

Beautiful image Gary. Love these majestic birds!

Registered on October 19, 2006, 306 Posts, 1571 Comments

Comment posted by Matt Shellenberg on April 7, 2014 at 8:19 AM

Sweet shot of this owl Gary. Nice detail, nice angled perch, nice background, just an all around great image.

Registered on February 6, 2008, 168 Posts, 3118 Comments

Comment posted by Kurt Bowman on April 7, 2014 at 10:28 AM

Really nice image you have here Gary. I am not too bothered by the branch....either way works for me. My only nit is the center comp. I'm ok with center comps on certain shots and actually keep opening this and am going back and forth about it. I think the reason this one bothers me a little is also because of the square frame. I think if the frame was vertical, it wouldn't bother me at all.

Registered on June 19, 2008, 1005 Posts, 8028 Comments

Comment posted by Martin Dunn on April 8, 2014 at 5:15 AM

great capture Gary.
composition wise I might be tempted to move the owl a little off centre and lose the wee shoot at the bottom.
Perhaps also a small amount of lightening to the left side of the owl's face (RH side as we view it) around the 2 o'clock position.

none of these matter much though, still a lovely shot.

Registered on February 20, 2013, 198 Posts, 1011 Comments

Comment posted by Gary Gulash on April 8, 2014 at 9:50 AM

Thanks for your comments all. Martin, I lightened the shadows a bit already in this photo. I was thinking about the recent discussion thread that Richard Ditch started entitled "Natural vs Process Look", his first point in particular, referring to excessive lightening of shadows. I accept your comment as is, great that you are taking some time to critique. I just thought I would explain how I came to this finishing point with the photo and why. Thanks again.

Registered on January 28, 2005, 879 Posts, 12098 Comments

Comment posted by Sharon Hallowell on April 8, 2014 at 7:49 PM

Real nice image and great bird! Congrats on this one! Sharon

Registered on November 1, 2003, 392 Posts, 4810 Comments

Comment posted by May Haga on April 9, 2014 at 1:54 PM

Gary, these have to be the most gorgeous of birds. Love the pose and the setting. I understand - 20 shooting. Your fingers freeze and when you press the shutter nothing moves. Your fingers are frozen!! Or something like that.
May

Registered on February 22, 2007, 714 Posts, 8470 Comments