Short Eared at Dusk

Gallery: AvianPosted March 20, 2015570 views11 comments

Hi everyone! Here's one from our trip to the coast in SW British Columbia. We spotted this Short Eared Owl in the field and got set up. I wanted to get a different type shot than the normal, so I laid down on the ground and tried to find a clearing so I didn't have too much vegetation in front of the lens. I tried to get the tall grass behind to show off the habitat he lives and hunts in.

I really like the nice golden light.

Thanks for lookin'!

Nikon D7100
Nikkor AF-S 300mm f/2.8G IF-ED VR
Techs coming! Sorry!
Full frame
Few oil spots cloned out from sky

Comments

11 comments

Comment posted by Ralph Kerr on March 21, 2015 at 8:45 AM

Nice SEO, Jenaya. The golden light is wonderful, and a great perch. Kudos too, for getting the perspective of the environment. I wonder what this would look like if cropped to a vertical. While I like the environment, it seems you would keep that but call more attention to the main subject. Just my 2 cents.

Registered on January 30, 2007, 369 Posts, 852 Comments

Comment posted by Scott Frye on March 21, 2015 at 9:02 AM

I agree with Ralph about the negative space on the right -- would like to see a vertical to put more eye contact on the owl and great perch

Registered on February 3, 2007, 387 Posts, 1136 Comments

Comment posted by Hans Overduin on March 21, 2015 at 9:30 AM

You executed your plan in an excellent way ! Love the point of view, and the whole atmosphere in the image ! Congrats ! Cheers, Hans

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

Comment posted by Allen Brooks on March 21, 2015 at 10:16 AM

Sweet light and a nice environmental shot. An enlarged vertical might be nice as well. Great job in working your shot.

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

Comment posted by Keith Bauer on March 21, 2015 at 11:54 AM

Nice concept and a nice environmental. I'd like to see a bit more light on the owl. With the light background, I find it difficult to really get a good look at the Owls details

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

Comment posted by Philip Hodgkins on March 21, 2015 at 9:41 PM

Jenaya, I like the way you have put this together. The light is the binder of everything here. I do think, for comfort's sake, I would crop some from the right. You might play around with brightening up the owl, but not at the expense of that good light!

You guys looking at the D7200?

Registered on July 24, 2006, 2741 Posts, 12349 Comments

Comment posted by Jenaya Launstein on March 22, 2015 at 12:26 AM

Thanks for the kind comments everyone! I have hundreds of photos of this guy, so there's probably more to come

. I know several of you suggested a vertical crop or taking a little off the right side of the frame, but I really wanted this image to be different. I am sure there will be a vertical of this owl coming up soon!

Phil, we have been looking at all the techs of the 7200. Certainly is tempting!!

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

Comment posted by Jerry Austin on March 22, 2015 at 9:58 AM

The only thing that would have made this even better would have been a touch more light on the owl's face. Regardless, very solid image.

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

Comment posted by Steve Thompson on March 22, 2015 at 3:05 PM

Beautiful image Jenaya. I like the comp and your choice for placement of the owl in the frame. The oof vegetation behind the owl shows habitat well. But... that golden light is incredible. I don't think I would change a thing.

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

Comment posted by Ken Archer on March 24, 2015 at 2:45 AM

Sweet light you captured here Jenaya

Along with a wonderful subject enhanced by the surrounding habitat. Great details in the owl and it's perch.

Excellent Work!

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

Comment posted by Ashleigh Scully on March 27, 2015 at 4:17 PM

HI! Wow this is beautiful Jenaya. I actually like it as a horizontal. I think the line of the reeds behind the owl are like a leading line to the owl's face and it shows the environment. The light on the one eye is awesome!

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