EPJ - 2nd HM

Remnants

Josiah, Jenaya and I headed to the west coast of Canada last month for some owl and waterfowl photography, and the local avian residents didn't disappoint. We were delighted when this handsome Short Eared Owl perched on an interesting stump, but after the excitement of a great photo opp faded, I started wondering exactly what that was wrapped around the bottom of the stump. We were just several dozen yards from the shoreline of the Pacific, so through the viewfinder I wondered if it might be some cool seaweed.

After the owl resumed its hunt, I walked over and discovered it had chosen a perch wrapped in heavy nylon rope, a remnant of the fishing industry in the area. We usually think about fishing debris being a threat to marine life and aquatic birds, but sometimes forget it can endanger all animals that live in and around the ocean. I'm happy to report the owl didn't get entangled here, but had a vole scurried in for shelter, I'm not sure how it would have ended.

While I have a number of shots showing the sky and background shrubs, I raised my tripod to keep the background consistent here.

Thanks for looking...LARGER view shows a lot better.

Nikon D600
Nikkor AF-S 500mm f/4D IF-ED
ISO 250
1/800sec @ f/5
-1.0 EV
Tripod mounted
Cropped slightly to app. 90% of FF

Very little done in post...just converted with minor adjustment to colour temp and a touch of contrast.