Take-off!

Gallery: AvianPosted January 15, 2015635 views12 comments

Hi everyone! It's been a while since I last posted an image, so here's a recent one of a beautiful snowy owl!

We went into the prairies in search of Snowy Owl's a couple weeks ago. There was a crazy snow storm pretty much all day long, which made it harder to spot owls. It was very windy with low visibility, right up until the last light of the day, which is when it started to clear a little. When the light was almost gone, we spotted our first Snowy of the day! After photographing him for a little while, we moved on in search for more. We quickly spotted another, and by the end of the day we finished with 5 Snowy's.

This is one of my favorites from the day. This Snowy started hunting the field shortly after we found him. In this picture, he's taking off to hunt, and soon after was eating his prize.

I'd like to note that this owl was NOT baited, lured, or manipulated in ANY way!

Thanks for lookin'!

I hope y'all like it.

Nikon D7100
Nikkor AF-S 300mm f/2.8G IF-ED VR lens
ISO 720
1/320sec @ f/5.6

Comments

12 comments

Comment posted by Ken Watkins on January 16, 2015 at 5:40 AM

Jenaya,
This is a very interesting capture, but for me it looks far to bright and detail is being lost, I would try further.

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

Comment posted by Keith Bauer on January 16, 2015 at 9:24 AM

Jenaya:
I think this is a very cool image of the snowy. First, GREAT news that this is not baited, or lured. Very brave composition with the placement of the owl. I like it very much as it really gives a sense of place and the cold blowing snow. I took a quick look at the larger version. It does not have an embedded color profile so it may show differently on viewers monitors than intended. I wanted to see just a touch more detail/contrast so I applied a TK Midtones mask to a curve and dropped the luminance down just a bit. I think it helped. Take a look and see what you think. This is an image with enormous visual appeal. I am so glad to see natural Snowy Owl pictures!!

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

Comment posted by Keith Bauer on January 16, 2015 at 10:17 PM

Had to come back to this picture. Very surprised that you have not received more comments. This is an image that speaks to the view you have in your photography. Very bold, dynamic compositions. Keep up the great work. I'm looking forward to more of your work and watching you continue your growth as a fine photographer.

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

Comment posted by Jenaya Launstein on January 16, 2015 at 11:26 PM

Thanks everyone! Keith, I'm curious to see what you've done with it. Thank you for your kind comments!

Registered on February 8, 2011, 254 Posts, 1302 Comments

Comment posted by Keith Bauer on January 17, 2015 at 12:14 AM

Here's a version with a couple of minor adjustments. In this small size I don't know how visible they will be. I worked with a TK mid tones mask, and a couple of masks targeted at the grasses, and one a the owl. Very minor luminance adjustments just trying to bring out a touch more detail. See what you think.

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

Comment posted by Jenaya Launstein on January 17, 2015 at 1:21 AM

I like what you did, Keith. It seems as though the owl "pops" more in your version! Thanks for taking the time to see what it would look like. I'll have to check it out on the bigger screen when I get home, as I'm looking on my phone right now.

Registered on February 8, 2011, 254 Posts, 1302 Comments

Comment posted by John Launstein on January 17, 2015 at 2:43 AM

Hi Jaye! Still can't believe we found a few of these stunning owls at the 11th hour that day, and especially can't believe you pulled this off in the conditions we had. Like Keith, I love your comp and the natural look and feel the image has...as I witnessed the moment through my own eyes (and lens), I can attest the image as posted is nearly 100% faithful to the moment the capture was made. However, I don't disagree with Ken (we knew we were pushing the envelope in less than ideal light and conditions) and think Keith's re-work does indeed help the owl pop more as well as providing additional contrast to the entire scene.

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

Comment posted by Hans Overduin on January 17, 2015 at 3:15 AM

Very nice and celestial image (at least to me).. Nice composition as well !

, Hans

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

Comment posted by Ken Archer on January 17, 2015 at 7:37 AM

Sweet take off capture Jenaya! The strong composition is what grabs my attention most. I really like the patterns of foliage in the field. Keith's version seems to be an improvement, as you said making the owl pop.

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

Comment posted by Ashleigh Scully on January 18, 2015 at 8:54 AM

I love this and I think the repost is a little better. It's cool to see this composition showing more environment too

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

Comment posted by Rob Drummond on January 24, 2015 at 6:57 AM

Great setting and atmosphere Jenaya

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

Comment posted by Kurt Bowman on January 25, 2015 at 10:09 PM

Hey Jenaya, trying to catch up on missed images. I really love this image. Great comp, timing on the take-off and love the pano crop. I do like the additional adjustments Keith posted. Keep on growing...you just keep getting better and better!

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