Horned Owl

Gallery: AvianPosted January 14, 2015133 views15 comments

I figured this was a barn owl as it flew out of a barn

but then I did a quick search and realized it was a horned owl.

Usual caveats apply here.... I don't do much avian/wildlife photography, I prefer my subject matter stationary but this guy just sat on this branch for as long as I clicked away. Outside the Long Barn at the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge, Frenchglen, Oregon.

f/5.6, 1/1000 sec, ISO-800, 232mm, handheld, cropped about 50% from original.

Comments

15 comments

Comment posted by Alberto Patiño on January 14, 2015 at 2:10 PM

I love your bird identification technique

(mine is not too different). Seriously, this is a beautiful picture. My one suggestion would be to try to lighten up the owl a bit, so as to make it stand out from the rather busy background.

Registered on December 2, 2014, 278 Posts, 1736 Comments

Comment posted by Allen Brooks on January 14, 2015 at 2:37 PM

A really nice photo of the owl. I like the pose and intent stare. I might try cloning out or content aware-delete the small branches on the right hand side of the owl.

Registered on July 27, 2011, 262 Posts, 2597 Comments

Comment posted by D.A. Edwards on January 14, 2015 at 3:16 PM

I'm unsure as to what branches you are referencing, Allen. On the image right side I don't see much there. On the owl's right side there is the one small branch that is right out of his body that I could definitely see eliminating.
Clarify please

Registered on October 8, 2014, 226 Posts, 1187 Comments

Comment posted by Allen Brooks on January 14, 2015 at 3:33 PM

The one coming out of the body on the owl's right side and the one coming down towards the right cheek. Just a thought.

Registered on July 27, 2011, 262 Posts, 2597 Comments

Comment posted by D.A. Edwards on January 14, 2015 at 3:59 PM

Repost above based on comments... branches removed, owl lightened... easy, peasy.

Registered on October 8, 2014, 226 Posts, 1187 Comments

Comment posted by Jerry Austin on January 14, 2015 at 4:07 PM

Great image. The branches mentioned in the other comments don't bother me. I do like the lightened owl repost. I would also desaturation the greens and especially the yellows in the background just a touch. They are a bit of a distraction IMHO.

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

Comment posted by D.A. Edwards on January 14, 2015 at 7:05 PM

You guys are making me work this afternoon

Second repost with desaturated yellows and greens (except on the owl). Enough de-sat?

Registered on October 8, 2014, 226 Posts, 1187 Comments

Comment posted by Ashleigh Scully on January 14, 2015 at 9:06 PM

Hi, I like the repost a little better. I agree you should reduce the saturation in the background to make the Owls eyes stand out better. Also I think the owls face looks like it has a green and yellow hue. Everything else looks really cool

Registered on November 4, 2013, 36 Posts, 210 Comments

Comment posted by Keith Bauer on January 14, 2015 at 10:15 PM

I think Ashleigh really nailed it. There is a clear yellow/green cast on the owl. Could have been from the leaves, but it is still there. I would also desaturate the background much more than in your repost. Certainly worth the effort for a nice shot of this Great Horned Owl.

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

Comment posted by Jerry Austin on January 15, 2015 at 7:38 AM

That's what you get when you post a great image. Lots of help to make it outstanding. I liked the second repost a bit better, but I think the background could use a little more desaturation.

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

Comment posted by D.A. Edwards on January 15, 2015 at 4:01 PM

OK, one more time

Thanks for all of the feedback everyone, the Avian gallery certainly rocks... but now I think I'll retreat back to the Landscape galleries.

Registered on October 8, 2014, 226 Posts, 1187 Comments

Comment posted by John Robinson on January 15, 2015 at 4:51 PM

Last post looks good to me. Shows that a busy backdrop can work at times
JohnR

Registered on March 2, 2008, 535 Posts, 2453 Comments

Comment posted by Ken Watkins on January 16, 2015 at 5:35 AM

You have cracked it with the last re-post, great shot

Registered on December 15, 2010, 1537 Posts, 4877 Comments

Comment posted by John Launstein on January 17, 2015 at 2:59 AM

Hi Dave! Well, I hope you don't retreat back from Avian for too long...this is a beautiful GHO portrait! As per the earlier comments I think the last repost is probably the best overall. I really like your comp on this frame and the sense of place the overall image holds. Great feather detail as well.

Registered on April 5, 2011, 223 Posts, 1193 Comments

Comment posted by Rob Drummond on January 24, 2015 at 6:53 AM

Wonderful work Dave - love that eye contact

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