Just stepping up the game now and for me, doing more challenging/enjoyable work with this ongoing project, as these guys are out in the open hunting in the tall grasses of the field close to the nest sight. They still take the 'easy' option of using the milk churn and hay bales as landing/hunting spots, but this is what they do best, swoop and strike in an instant. Not always that easy, as they twist, bank, glide and turn so quickly, subject to what they hear and the wind direction, hence as I said, this is challenging, especially if you have a 'contrasty' backdrop and with something that moves like a jet fighter. This area has always been 'rich pickings' and the Barn owl still quarters here, but incredibly sensitive to the shutter going off, so for the time being, these guys are the prime subjects.
Thanks to those who viewed or posted a comment on the previous thread.
Steve
Subject: Little owl (Athene noctua) hunting, mid afternoon, side on, strike pose, in meadow field
Location: UK
Camera: Canon 1DX
Lens: 200-400f/4 Gitzo tripod/Uniqball head
Exposure: 1/3200s at f/8 ISO3200
Original format: Portrait, slight crop
Processed: LR6 2015 & PSCC 2015
Comments
8 commentsSteve:
A very nice capture of the owl. The pose looking down is really great.
My eyes are really drawn to the bright background. I just scrolled down to move the image to crop just below the brightest sky background. For me that provides a much stronger image.
Excellent capture, Steve. The intense downward stare at the prey is very good. I agree with Keith that the comp would be stronger if you cropped out the bright sky. It puts the bird in the upper right and emphasizes the pending dive. The yellow band isn't ideal but there wasn't a thing you could do about that.
Excellent, Steve. Good work getting a flight shot like this as it's obviously pouncing.
What's the band of yellow behind the tip of hte wing?
Really like how the owl pops from the background -- nicely done -- no nites from me
Thanks guys, the two issues I have, are:
- In these senarios I wanted to shoot 'wider' to provide more environment/habitat, avoiding the more tighter portait style images, plus I hate to crop tight and throw away all that info and pixel bash.
- By shooting wider it also gives me a larger area to track & focus, however saying that, I do think I have a 'workaround' solution which I was exploring just before leaving the site.
Sadly I won't be going back for a while as I'm off now to warmer climates and some R&R, perhaps even coupled with some diving, so will try and implement the feedback on my return.
Thanks again.
Steve
Sweet hunting action you captured here Steve. I'm with the other guys for a tighter crop.
Much impresesed with this one Steve ! I know from experience had fast these little owls fly and having one framed like this is not to be underestimated ! Hats off, that is
. Like the vertical composition as well ! 
, you must be quite happy with this one I assume ! cheers, Hans
Stephen,
Regarding the photo, I agree with Keith and Jim. Cropping the bright sky and reorienting the bird in the photo giving him room to dive into will strengthen it. If your intent is to only show the context without featuring the spectacular shot of the bird that is another matter. Is the photo for you or the audience? If for you stand pat. Regardless, this is a wonderful catch of a challenging subject.