Vole's eye view...................

Canon EOS 1D MKII, 16-35mm f2.8, 23mm f10, ISO 320 1/250, flash @ -2/3, LC-5 remote release, mobile phone, RAW, RSE, CS2, FF.


.........of a Barn Owl

Hi All,

A shot like this has been in my mind for over a year, and has taken me in excess of 100 hours in the field and god knows how many frames. I've tried all sorts of things to grab the Owl's attention even laying on my back as it approached, but doing this I did not get the grass in the frame, so this summer I have been using one mobile phone set to vibrate and with a ring tone of me squeeking like a mouse, set beside the camera and rang from my hide when the Owl approached, this has been much more productive. With only about a week until this field goes under the plough not sure whether I will be able to better it. I have tried to sharpen just the head on it's own but really not had much success, so if anyone could advise it would be greatly appreciated.

Regards

Rob

Oh man that is something els

I've never seen a image like that before

And i love the way you went about getting it with the aid of your mobile phone

Rob

Congratulations what a great shot and perspective.

Barry

Kansas / Eastbourne

For sure that image is a riot of technical flaws, but what a great effort to get the shot. Planning, so important IMO and pretty innovative effort. I hope you get the shot you want before the window closes, and I take my hat off to you for a great near-miss.
Eric

Rob, I don't like you anymore!!

I've been trying something like this for about the same length of time and got nowhere near!
Excellent work. Now to get something better!!??

Like the idea with the phone too.

Congrats and thanks for sharing.

Ian

Well Rob, the tech flaws are overwhelmed by your shear ingenuity squire - id I had 500 BO's in one field I'd never think of this in a month of Sundays - mighty congrats matey, honestly I'm a bit stunned at it

Just have to agree with all that has been said... I like the innovation.

Great shot Rob. You certainly win the awards for innovation and persistence!!

Dave

It may be lacking a bit of sharpness, but that doesn't take away from the fact that it's a really impressive shot, well worth the persistence

I seem to remember seeing something similar in the Wildlife Photographer of the Year award a few years ago:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/shared/spl/hi/pop_ups/03/sci_nat_wildlife_photographer_of_the_year_competition_2003/html/3.stm

Cheers,

Dan

Great effort Rob.! Shows not all photographers are " point and shoot " these days !
JR

It just shows what can be achieved with a little time persistence and ingenuity. Fantastic shot

Colin

Brilliant

Thats a cracking shot Rob and very well thought out, you can't beat a good old squeak top work and very ingenious.


Andy...

If a vole has this eye view it is already too late.
Very tricky shot Rob.
Congrats,
Bertl

Rob, what a great idea and huge perseverance! The shot is intriguing and really makes you look at it and think about it! Well done

Great idea, just a sha,e the bird is a bit soft. Great shot to try and improve on though.

excellent Rob, top marks for ingenuity and one of those shots where technical perfection really doesn't matter.

Matt

In way it looks like the owl is flying down to earth! Really good idea and good lateral thinking with the phone, hope you pull off the shot you want in the end.

Btw How the Barn Owl numbers doing near you, good or bad year?

Cheers

Gavin

Rob this is really excellent,the effort you put in was certainly worth it.

regards Keith.

Great viewpoint Rob and I admire your dedication and commitment.