Burrowing Owl

Gallery: AvianPosted September 10, 20171,092 views9 comments

Burrowing Owl (Athene cunicularia)

Place: Stanfield, AZ
Date: August 10, 2017, 9:34 am
Equipment: Nikon D7200, AF-S Nikkor 200-500mm f/5.6E ED VR @ 500mm, bean bag on car window
Exposure: ISO 800, Aperture priority matrix metered, 1/800th @ f/8
Raw, PS CC 2017 on Mac, cropped to 70% of full frame

From the same encounter as my post of 8/13/17. Yes, that’s the back of the owl but it is still giving me a full frontal view of the face.

Honest critiques requested; all comments appreciated. If possible please view the large version before commenting.

Comments

9 comments

Comment posted by Shirley Freeman on September 10, 2017 at 1:49 PM

Now that is one "head turn" if I ever saw one! He is watching his back! Excellent capture, Richard. Such detail in the feathers. The only thing that, if it can be done, I would like to see whatever that is that is green just below him to be cloned out, but that may not be possible with the rocks all around. It is really a super good shot as it is, I just find, since it is the only thing in the whole image that isn't in the brown tones, that it catches my eye. Might just be me, and also, it might not be possible to remove either. I am still waiting for my first owl shot, so who am I to critique this wonderful shot???

Registered on May 27, 2017, 77 Posts, 844 Comments

Comment posted by Max Waugh on September 10, 2017 at 2:12 PM

It's interesting to see such dark plumage on a Burrowing owl.

I do like that you went with a wider crop rather than going for a straight vertical... I'm fond of sometimes including more background complementary tones (especially when it's a nice and clean BG like this), even with a vertical subject.

Max

Registered on September 26, 2008, 428 Posts, 2329 Comments

Comment posted by David Schoen on September 10, 2017 at 2:22 PM

Always nice to have I contact especially with an image like this. It stands out well against the mirrored color background. (If there were green birds in the Pacific Northwest, I would have it made.) I like the symmetry and the centered pose in the 4/3 frame works well for this image. With the absence of shadows, I'm assuming it was overcast or in the shade.

Registered on November 6, 2006, 1213 Posts, 4587 Comments

Comment posted by Dennis Plank on September 10, 2017 at 5:33 PM

It's always cool to see an owl with the head turned 180, Richard, and this is no exception. Perfect dof to keep the head and the entire back in nice focus. Well done.

Registered on January 28, 2008, 1767 Posts, 23192 Comments

Comment posted by Nate Chappell on September 10, 2017 at 6:40 PM

Great pose and details here Richard, nicely done devil

Registered on February 1, 2006, 1158 Posts, 19528 Comments

Comment posted by Jerry Austin on September 10, 2017 at 7:49 PM

Just excellent Richard. That background is simply amazing. Well done.

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

Comment posted by Kurt Bowman on September 12, 2017 at 12:11 AM

Love the head turn and the scowl he is giving you Richard! Nice work!

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

Comment posted by Barbara Graham on September 14, 2017 at 9:51 PM

It is amazing how you can get so many beautiful images where the entire color palette matches or complements the bird. Perfect detail, and I love the composition.

Registered on July 27, 2010, 1310 Posts, 5035 Comments

Comment posted by Hans Overduin on September 17, 2017 at 11:39 AM

Always great when the head turns... Love it way around .. The colors are perfect, making the eyes stand out very nicely, Great work ! Hans

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