High-brow Barred

Gallery: AvianPosted December 20, 2014241 views12 comments

This barred owl has recently begun showing in my yard. I first noticed him about a week ago after a recent snowstorm, and since then he has become a frequent visitor to the maple tree several feet from my deck. I know it's the same bird returning because of his raised right brow. Hopefully he sticks around awhile and I can cancel the exterminator.

D810
300mm F/2.8
1/80s @ f/6.3
ISO 2500
2/3 EV
Manual
Gitzo w/Wimberley II

Comments

12 comments

Comment posted by Mike Ramy on December 20, 2014 at 2:26 PM

Hey Charles,
Ain't you the lucky one, a Barred Owl for Christmas, you must have been real good this year.
This is an excellent image and with the snow covered limbs and the hunkered down pose of the Owl, it screams COLD !
Well Done . . .

Registered on June 16, 2012, 567 Posts, 2809 Comments

Comment posted by Gary Reed on December 20, 2014 at 2:51 PM

Great shot Charles. You could raise the levels a touch for sure. And I would throw out there the suggestions of a Square crop tighter to the owl.

Registered on September 19, 2009, 198 Posts, 1074 Comments

Comment posted by Bill Marsh on December 20, 2014 at 3:40 PM

Excellent image Charles. I like the pose and snow covered branches. I also like the raised brow. Maybe he is impressed with your photo gear.

Bill

Registered on December 29, 2012, 21 Posts, 225 Comments

Comment posted by Jefferson Silva on December 20, 2014 at 5:11 PM

Very nice image, Charles.
I like the pose and looking of the owl.

Registered on December 18, 2012, 162 Posts, 975 Comments

Comment posted by Jerry Austin on December 20, 2014 at 5:25 PM

Great capture Charles. Always love the owls.

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

Comment posted by Patrick O'Healy on December 20, 2014 at 6:18 PM

Chuck,
Wonderful shot. How lucky to have him hanging around. He looks like an ad for Prozac.

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

Comment posted by David Rowe on December 21, 2014 at 3:54 AM

Brilliant, Chuck, for me it's perfection!
David

Registered on December 20, 2013, 133 Posts, 286 Comments

Comment posted by Stephen Kaluski on December 21, 2014 at 5:39 AM

Hi Chuck, like the setting very much, you can feel that cold coming through.

Based on your techs it seems the owl was happy with your presence, however even on a tripod I think 1/80 is still quite slow, cranking the ISO up would have been better, although not sure how far the 810 can deal with? Overall the exposure looks good, but perhaps drawing in the white slider to the left only around 247 may help in Levels. To me I get the impression there is a bit of Blue creeping in, pulling that back would help too, likewise bringing in a bit more 'light' into the eyes via a selective layer. Like the framing, but might have removed the twig over the chest, easy to do with PSCC 2014. Really like the snow on the branches, nice scene setting.

TFS
Steve

Registered on March 25, 2007, 189 Posts, 1064 Comments

Comment posted by keith mitchell on December 22, 2014 at 4:21 AM

Chuck these in your yard you are one very lucky person, love the pose of this Owl in the snow, it's superb.

Keith.

Registered on July 12, 2008, 127 Posts, 1735 Comments

Comment posted by Keith Bauer on December 22, 2014 at 10:40 AM

A very cool shot. The hunkered down pose makes it look even colder. Nice sharpness even at 1/80. I do think the image has a cool color cast. Guessing this was shadowed light which is almost always rendered with a bit of a blue cast. I looked at the larger image in PS and did a couple of quick adjustments. Changed the color balance, brightened up the eyes and a quick and dirty clone job of the branch on the front of the chest. For me this helps. See what you think.

Registered on November 20, 2003, 458 Posts, 4836 Comments

Comment posted by Steve Thompson on December 22, 2014 at 4:38 PM

Really sweet shot of this owl. I wish they would come to my house.

Keith's re-work is an improvement IMO.

Registered on August 7, 2014, 125 Posts, 2319 Comments

Comment posted by Ray Whitt on December 22, 2014 at 6:50 PM

Love the snow on the branches and the pose. Nice composition, excellent shot!

Ray

Registered on May 27, 2011, 92 Posts, 2619 Comments