Short-eared Owl

Discussion

16 replies

Posted by Elliott Neep on July 10, 2008 at 4:02 PM

A break from the norm for me, but couldn't resist this approachable SEO on the Isle of Mull. He was perched on a great mossy fence post and even allowed for my manoeuvring in the car. I just love the eyes on the SEO - they simply burn alight in the twilight. Interested to see what you think as I rarely do birds these days.

Camera Model: Canon EOS-1Ds Mark II
Shutter speed: 1/80 sec
Aperture: f/10
Exposure mode: Av
ISO: 400
Lens: 600mm + 1.4x TC
Focal length: 840mm
Beanbag
Car as hide

Posted by John Robinson on July 10, 2008 at 4:13 PM

Great ! And I love that stump !
I want it !!
I can't make my mind up whether it disracts or adds to the shot. No big deal though- still good.
Cheers
JohnR

Posted by bill meikle on July 10, 2008 at 4:19 PM

Great shot. Must get over to Mull sometime.

Posted by bill meikle on July 10, 2008 at 4:20 PM

Changed my mind, I don't like the barbed wire stump, crop portrait?

Posted by Dave Tucker on July 10, 2008 at 4:54 PM

Hi
I like the image, the stump on the left, for me, makes the image, wish the shot was mine.
Dave

Posted by Tom Smit on July 10, 2008 at 5:47 PM

Hello,

Lovely image. I do like the stump. It's part of his/her environment. I just like the compo as is (may be a little crop from the top).

Posted by Barry Southon on July 10, 2008 at 6:15 PM

Elliott

Great shot of SEO in its environment as is, why change nature? I don't agree with all the tweaks maybe because I can't do them.

Barry

Kansas / Eastbourne

Posted by Ian Mason on July 10, 2008 at 6:43 PM

Great shot of a magnificent bird. Saw my first one (pair actually) hunting on North Uist recently, but didn't get a shot. I'd be very happy with this. I agree the stump is fine.

Posted by Andy Shepherd on July 11, 2008 at 2:57 AM

Superb image Elliot , perch and stump make the image imo , top draw

ps thanks for the very nice comments on my Stoat shots , glad you liked them.

Andy...

Posted by Ian Andrews on July 11, 2008 at 3:03 AM

Well I'm in the 'like it' brigade on this one Elliot!

The extra stump adds to the comp IMHO.

Ian

Posted by PhilH on July 11, 2008 at 4:00 AM

Like it just as it is, the 'typical' environment adds to the image and of course allows for a little editorial space...

Posted by Paul Gibbs on July 11, 2008 at 4:20 AM

Very nice, Elliott SEO's can be a hard species to nail down at times, so your shot is all the more impressive. Nice to see one in situe.

Posted by Elliott Neep on July 11, 2008 at 5:11 AM

Thanks for the feedback all. A mixed response, but glad there are more 'fors' than 'againsts'. I really liked the gnarly old stump and thought it gave balance to the image. It is probably a bit larger (more dominant) than I would have liked, but beggars can't be choosers. I did shoot several portraits as well.

Posted by Paul Inglis on July 11, 2008 at 8:13 AM

Hi Elliott,

Beautiful image! Another vote for leaving the stump in. It really makes the image for me, nice comp!

Posted by Bertl Menegoni on July 11, 2008 at 1:48 PM

Fantastic bird Elliott,
beautiful portrait.
cheers,
Bertl

Posted by Magnus Hird on July 12, 2008 at 9:20 AM

I'm a stump-liker as well

Agree that it balances the shot and think the weathered post and rust barbed wire add to the story in the shot

Apart from that the eye contact is brill

Posted by eric weight on July 12, 2008 at 9:51 AM

I am a great fan of photographs that include something of the subject's environment so I really want to prefer this one with the stump in, but I have to admit that I have to tear my eyes away from it to appreciate just how good the subject is. Grudgingly, I suspect that I would enjoy the shot more without the stump.The owl really is wonderful though.

Eric