Posted by Vincent Jones on August 14, 2008 at 6:40 PM
Hi all
Sorry I haven't been around for a bit, been a bit busy with the new place & school holidays. I can now see why I don't have kids, it's great to give them there children back to them their parents
We have a newby arrived what a beauty he his. The Barn Owl is UK captive bred & supposingly originates from a breeding pair of tyto alba's from Chezkoslavakia.
This is a melonistic black Barn Owl, amazing colours ain't they
Personally I feel very honoured to be able to work with him & train him at the same time.
Here is a side on shot showing the colours
Thought it would be good to show you all what he is like.
I have just added a bit of sharpening to highlight the feather detail, no other modification was made as I didn't want to change any of the colours of the Owl,
Posted by Andy Astbury on August 14, 2008 at 7:01 PM
He's/she's certainly a bit special Vince, wonderful looking beast.
Nice image - look even more stunning with a nice BG that'll isolate the bird a bit more.
If I ever do get down to your place then there's no prizes for guessing what I'd like to image first.
Hope the new arrival stays happy and healthy
Posted by Vincent Jones on August 14, 2008 at 7:23 PM
Definately a he Andy, the Owl went through a DNA process for Defra's records.
A beauty isn't he I too hope he stays happy & more important healthy
With regards to a darker back ground, here is a tighter head shot. I hope it is OK to post another.
Vince
Posted by Ian Andrews on August 15, 2008 at 12:38 AM
Very different Vince, and an interesting subject. Do these 'strangers' occur in the wild?
Hope you are well.
Ian
Posted by eric weight on August 15, 2008 at 12:48 AM
That's one I've never seen or heard of before. Interesting post, thanks for showing us. Eric
Posted by Paul Gibbs on August 15, 2008 at 2:08 AM
Wow stunning bird Vincent! I've seen darker Barn Owls before but thisguys something else! Great images Vince!
Posted by Vincent Jones on August 15, 2008 at 4:57 AM
Hi Ian, hope all is well. Hi to you too Paul Hi Eric
In answer to your question Ian about these occuring in the wild. The answer is Yes.
I have ben informed that this is where they oriiginated from a fews years back, When though I don't know. All I know at the moment is that a wild breeding pair of white tyto alba's in Chezkoslavakia raised a Black brood, from here a European collector purchased 5 from a Pet shop over there. Now they are breeding in captivity in Europe with a single breeding pair in the UK from where this one came from. The question for me is, if they are all from the same parents, could health problems develop at a later stage in life? I hope not.
Now we have the Owl at the Centre, I will do a lot more digging to find out more.
Vince
Posted by Rob Howard on August 15, 2008 at 5:46 PM
Hi Vince,
What a stunning looking Owl!! There was a Dark Breasted Barn Owl incubating eggs in a box in Norfolk this summer, tragically it was found dead on the road in Norfolk in early July not sure if the Owlets survived or not.
Discussion
7 repliesSorry I haven't been around for a bit, been a bit busy with the new place & school holidays. I can now see why I don't have kids, it's great to give them there children back to them their parents
We have a newby arrived what a beauty he his. The Barn Owl is UK captive bred & supposingly originates from a breeding pair of tyto alba's from Chezkoslavakia.
This is a melonistic black Barn Owl, amazing colours ain't they
Personally I feel very honoured to be able to work with him & train him at the same time.
Here is a side on shot showing the colours
Thought it would be good to show you all what he is like.
D2X 105mm VR macro (Full Frame)
ISO 200, F16, 1/90th sec handheld
I have just added a bit of sharpening to highlight the feather detail, no other modification was made as I didn't want to change any of the colours of the Owl,
Nice image - look even more stunning with a nice BG that'll isolate the bird a bit more.
If I ever do get down to your place then there's no prizes for guessing what I'd like to image first.
Hope the new arrival stays happy and healthy
A beauty isn't he
With regards to a darker back ground, here is a tighter head shot. I hope it is OK to post another.
Vince
Hope you are well.
Ian
In answer to your question Ian about these occuring in the wild. The answer is Yes.
I have ben informed that this is where they oriiginated from a fews years back, When though I don't know. All I know at the moment is that a wild breeding pair of white tyto alba's in Chezkoslavakia raised a Black brood, from here a European collector purchased 5 from a Pet shop over there. Now they are breeding in captivity in Europe with a single breeding pair in the UK from where this one came from. The question for me is, if they are all from the same parents, could health problems develop at a later stage in life? I hope not.
Now we have the Owl at the Centre, I will do a lot more digging to find out more.
Vince
What a stunning looking Owl!! There was a Dark Breasted Barn Owl incubating eggs in a box in Norfolk this summer, tragically it was found dead on the road in Norfolk in early July
Regards
Rob