Posted by Simon Litten on December 5, 2006 at 4:25 PM
Canon 20d, 100-400 lens,
1/500s f/6.3 at 340.0mm iso400
Hi all
This is one of my favourites from the rutting season, taken in Bushey Park. Spent a good few hours with this fella but knew I'd outstayed my welcome when he decided to charge at me - it's nice to know that I can still shift when I need to!
Now, I've just moved to the Norfolk Broads (a stone's throw from How Hill if anyone knows the area) and yesterday morning discovered a Barn Owl quartering a nearby field. Has anyone got any advice for photographing these in the wild ie is a hide needed or can I get camo'd up and stalk on foot, can they be attracted to fly close to me, is morning or evening best, do they hunt the same fields on a daily basis...? Any advice that'll help me outsmart it - 'cause I believe they're supposed to be quite wise! - would be greatly appreciated.
I believe barn owls use posts/branches on a regular basis so if you watch the owl for a couple of evenings you will notice that it will rest in the same place/places,then position yourself either in a hide/car or camo and wait-look forward to seeing the images
I forgot-your stag is very nice in a nice pose and good early light-looks a bit green maybe tone that down but nice as is
Posted by Dennis Alden on December 5, 2006 at 5:08 PM
I agree with Dave - a slight green cast on my monitor - but a great atmospheric image nevertheless - and one I'd give my eye teeth for - although I'm not sure I have the cross-country skills needed to evade a charging stag!!!!
Posted by Mike Smith on December 5, 2006 at 5:56 PM
regards barn owls, my local pair have a definite routine of hunting with a defined flight route back to a nest box and preferred hunting fields dependant upon the grass length.
The flight path taking prey back to the nestbox is not direct "crows flight path" but takes into account a bit of hedge hugging - presumably a means to deter predators locating the nest site.
If you study your owls over a week or two you should be able to work out their flight paths and position yourself accordingly
Lovely atmospheric deer shot
Posted by John Chapman on December 6, 2006 at 6:42 AM
Hi Simon
nice atmospheric shot of the Deer. I hope you have better luck than me as in my part of Scotland the Barn Owl does not come out to hunt until it is about dark.
Good luck with the owls, Like the image of the Deer very much, bags of atmosphere, although I do feel that a touch more mid tone contrast would be nice.
Discussion
6 replies1/500s f/6.3 at 340.0mm iso400
Hi all
This is one of my favourites from the rutting season, taken in Bushey Park. Spent a good few hours with this fella but knew I'd outstayed my welcome when he decided to charge at me - it's nice to know that I can still shift when I need to!
Now, I've just moved to the Norfolk Broads (a stone's throw from How Hill if anyone knows the area) and yesterday morning discovered a Barn Owl quartering a nearby field. Has anyone got any advice for photographing these in the wild ie is a hide needed or can I get camo'd up and stalk on foot, can they be attracted to fly close to me, is morning or evening best, do they hunt the same fields on a daily basis...? Any advice that'll help me outsmart it - 'cause I believe they're supposed to be quite wise! - would be greatly appreciated.
Many thanks in advance
Simon
The flight path taking prey back to the nestbox is not direct "crows flight path" but takes into account a bit of hedge hugging - presumably a means to deter predators locating the nest site.
If you study your owls over a week or two you should be able to work out their flight paths and position yourself accordingly
Lovely atmospheric deer shot
nice atmospheric shot of the Deer. I hope you have better luck than me as in my part of Scotland the Barn Owl does not come out to hunt until it is about dark.
Good luck with the owls, Like the image of the Deer very much, bags of atmosphere, although I do feel that a touch more mid tone contrast would be nice.