Dinner is Served

Gallery: AvianPosted April 15, 2014318 views15 comments

This is one of my favorite images of 2013. I have photographed this Great Horned Owl nest 3 years in a row, and these birds and images of them have brought me much joy. The nestlings were only a few days old and for the most part hidden when momma decided to feed them a katydid. The owlets blindly struggled for their fair share! This image was cropped from horizontal to vertical so not as much detail as I would have liked but enough to make me happy.

Canon 1D4, Canon 500 & 2.0 @ 1000mm
F10, 1/250sec, ISO 800, manual mode
Fill flash w/BB
Feisol tripod, Jobu head

C & C always welcomed and much appreciated.

Comments

15 comments

Comment posted by Dennis Plank on April 15, 2014 at 10:11 PM

Plenty of detail in the larger version, Marina. A very neat image. When I first looked at it, the chick's gapes looked like pink butterflies and had me wondering what was going on here. A beautiful image.

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

Comment posted by Jerry Austin on April 15, 2014 at 10:39 PM

Really great image. Love those babies.

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

Comment posted by Matt Shellenberg on April 15, 2014 at 10:40 PM

Awesome behavior shot Marina. Nice light and nice detail. I had the opportunity to photograph this nest in March 2012,when I was in Florida. In fact I just looked at your picture on your website and I am certain I met you there as well. Hope you are doing well.

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

Comment posted by David Haynes on April 16, 2014 at 12:20 AM

Superb Image Marina. Lots of detail on my screen. I love the fact that all of the birds have their eyes closed. Makes for a very intimate setting. I can see why you continue to shoot them year after year. I would too. :)

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

Comment posted by Jim Hackley on April 16, 2014 at 12:44 AM

I like the how the tree trunks bring you into the frame to check out the owls plus the close proximity of all their eyes/beaks really adds to the image for me.
What a wonderful opportunity you have, way to cool.

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

Comment posted by Howard Cheek on April 16, 2014 at 9:19 AM

Wow! Outstanding behavioral image Marina.
Techs look great, and the LP is a pleasure to view.
Perfect title, love it!

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

Comment posted by Rick Cloran on April 16, 2014 at 10:27 AM

An excellent shot Maria.

I like everything about it. Great work with the 2x and fill flash. Were you using live view to confirm focus?

Registered on April 6, 2004, 119 Posts, 1989 Comments

Comment posted by Ken Archer on April 16, 2014 at 5:14 PM

A wonderful behavior capture you made of this attractive family Marina. Excellent flash work here.

Sweet Photo

Registered on October 28, 2004, 222 Posts, 6683 Comments

Comment posted by Charlie VanTassel on April 18, 2014 at 1:38 AM

I can see why it's one of your favorites. This one is pretty special.

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

Comment posted by Nate Chappell on April 19, 2014 at 1:05 PM

A really great and touching image Marina, interesting prey item

Registered on February 1, 2006, 1158 Posts, 19528 Comments

Comment posted by Patrick O'Healy on April 19, 2014 at 1:22 PM

Wonderful image that touches our hearts. Good job.

Registered on March 13, 2011, 326 Posts, 1679 Comments

Comment posted by Rob Drummond on April 21, 2014 at 8:43 AM

A lovely intimate shot Marina

Registered on November 8, 2003, 617 Posts, 8267 Comments

Comment posted by David Haynes on April 23, 2014 at 10:11 PM

Marina,
Congrats on the WP. Superb image in every way. Well deserved.

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

Comment posted by Marina Scarr on April 25, 2014 at 6:21 PM

Rick: No I didn't use live view to confirm focus. I use my 2x TC at least 25-45% of the time and I have never used live view. With my Canon 1D4, I have AF on the center point which works very well.

Matt: I'm doing great, Matt, and I do remember meeting you at the infamous nest.

Thank you all for your kind and thoughtful comments.

Registered on March 6, 2014, 11 Posts, 104 Comments

Comment posted by SandyRichardsBrown on April 28, 2014 at 11:26 AM

Exceptional image - great look at all the faces, nice katydid, and perfect perspective.
Big congrats on the WP!

Sandy

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