Mighty little owl

Gallery: AvianPosted February 25, 20044,915 views26 comments

<b>Northern Pygmy Owl, northern Idaho.
Canon F-1, 500/4.5, Sensia 100, manually spot metered.</b>

Pygmy owls were one of my favorite subjects while I lived in Montana. This one's small size was emphasized by the large needles of this ponderosa pine sapling.

Comments

26 comments

Comment posted by Peter den Hartog on February 25, 2004 at 4:37 AM

Funny shot this is indeed. If you'd told me it was a macro shot I'd beleaved you. That would make this ouwl an inch in size :D

Still I like the symmetry in this shot. The little bird in the frame works fine in this case.

Cheers

Peter

Registered on November 11, 2003, 28 Posts, 222 Comments

Comment posted by KK Hui on February 25, 2004 at 6:49 AM

A nice shot, Milo!
Actually how big is this bird? He looks tiny in comparison with the pine tree ...

Registered on November 1, 2003, 28 Posts, 61 Comments

Comment posted by Chris Ross on February 25, 2004 at 7:25 AM

sure does look tiny, I'd like the size as well. works so well as the owl shape and eyes are so recognisable, in spite of the small size in frame.

Registered on November 1, 2003, 403 Posts, 2729 Comments

Comment posted by Garth McElroy on February 25, 2004 at 8:08 AM

This is really a great shot to convey the size of the bird. Nice!

Registered on November 1, 2003, 248 Posts, 4406 Comments

Comment posted by Gloria Hopkins on February 25, 2004 at 8:46 AM

This is wonderful! I'd love to have a print of this. Great shot.

Registered on November 1, 2003, 19 Posts, 324 Comments

Comment posted by Tam Stuart on February 25, 2004 at 9:42 AM

Besides being a pretty image, I find myself completely lost as to scale. It really grabs my attention and doesn't let go.

Registered on November 17, 2003, 113 Posts, 1600 Comments

Comment posted by Terry Sohl on February 25, 2004 at 9:45 AM

I too am just completely bewildered looking at this shot because of the apparent scale. Certainly is an eyecatcher!!

Registered on November 1, 2003, 513 Posts, 6889 Comments

Comment posted by Bob Steele on February 25, 2004 at 10:24 AM

This is so cool.

I know these guys are small (~6 inches), but this makes him look tiny! Fantistic shot Milo.

Registered on November 1, 2003, 354 Posts, 13896 Comments

Comment posted by Richard Ditch on February 25, 2004 at 11:47 AM

Really neat!

The scale here in this small web post penalizes this fine image - it must be wonderful in a larger print.

Registered on November 1, 2003, 1031 Posts, 12705 Comments

Comment posted by Robert Scholl on February 25, 2004 at 12:02 PM

This is sweet! The size contrast plays mind games making him seem about an inch tall!!

Registered on December 7, 2003, 43 Posts, 132 Comments

Comment posted by Milo Burcham on February 25, 2004 at 12:09 PM

I'm glad that this photo has the effect on most of you that it has on me. Pygmy owls are approximately the size of a tennis ball, maybe just a tad bigger, when they are all fluffed out. They are quite "findable" in western Montana, especially in winter.

Registered on November 1, 2003, 80 Posts, 584 Comments

Comment posted by Martin Creasser on February 25, 2004 at 1:45 PM

What an excellent shot Milo of a bird we don't have in the UK. Great composition I love it.

Registered on November 14, 2003, 31 Posts, 469 Comments

Comment posted by Alana Preston on February 25, 2004 at 5:10 PM

CUTE little guy! He really does stand out! Nice composition love the size ratio.
Very Nice, Just Gorgeous!
Congratulations

Alana
www.afinephoto.com
info@afinephoto.com

Registered on February 21, 2004, 9 Posts, 26 Comments

Comment posted by Vesa Huttunen on February 25, 2004 at 5:22 PM

Registered on January 24, 2004, 8 Posts, 3 Comments

Comment posted by Paula Graham on February 25, 2004 at 5:30 PM

Super shot...I love everything about it.

Registered on November 1, 2003, 34 Posts, 902 Comments

Comment posted by Norbert on February 25, 2004 at 8:17 PM

One of the most amazing shots I`ve ever seen. That`s the stuff covers are made of!

Norbert

Registered on November 17, 2003, 1 Posts, 3 Comments

Comment posted by Dane Glueck on February 25, 2004 at 8:25 PM

Just wanted to add how much I liked this as well and echo the last comment about this being a cover shot.
D&D

Registered on November 10, 2003, 193 Posts, 1748 Comments

Comment posted by Jay Barnes on February 25, 2004 at 10:34 PM

Amazing shot, Milo. If I hadn't recognized the plant I'd swear it was all Photoshop!

Registered on November 1, 2003, 231 Posts, 1153 Comments

Comment posted by Brian E. Small on February 26, 2004 at 10:52 AM

This is wonderful Milo!

Registered on November 1, 2003, 147 Posts, 933 Comments

Comment posted by Robert Royse on February 26, 2004 at 11:36 AM

Great shot! The relationship in the sizes makes this one, but there's a whole lot else to admire here too like the colors, wide open eyes of the bird, and the raindrops (or dew?) on the needles.

Cool shot!

Registered on November 1, 2003, 218 Posts, 2427 Comments

Comment posted by Juza on February 26, 2004 at 4:14 PM

Hi Milo,
A very amusing and enjoyable shot, the apparent size is breath-taking!

Registered on November 1, 2003, 374 Posts, 10466 Comments

Comment posted by Jim Quealy on February 27, 2004 at 7:14 PM

This is an awesome shot! So unique. That little bugger is so cool.

Registered on January 30, 2004, 19 Posts, 12 Comments

Comment posted by Prashant Khapane on March 1, 2004 at 3:36 AM

Excellent image. COngrates on EP

Registered on November 1, 2003, 492 Posts, 4580 Comments

Comment posted by Kim Kaiser on March 2, 2004 at 12:59 AM

almost missed this one,,, super!!

Registered on November 1, 2003, 45 Posts, 370 Comments

Comment posted by Ott Luuk on March 4, 2004 at 1:20 PM

OK so I am an idiot and I missed it in the Avian gallery

(It's a good thing I found it here where it truly belongs - the Ed's pick)

The scale on this seems totally abnormal and your composition has enchanced it very well indeed. this is so much more than the regular bird-on-a-stick

Registered on November 1, 2003, 102 Posts, 348 Comments

Comment posted by Troup Nightingale on October 2, 2006 at 10:29 PM

Have to say that as soon as the image came onscreen I heard a big involuntary chuckle come out of my mouth and then realized it was me! It's a great image that invokes involuntary responses!

Registered on September 29, 2006, 10 Posts, 47 Comments