Another BOAP I'm afraid....taken this evening in Kent.
I watched this bird for nearly an hour. Despite poor the light, he didn't open his eyes to more than a slit and his wings were in this dropped position most of the time He could fly OK, but just looked 'sick'.
Can anyone tell me if the behaviour is something they've witnessed before ? He managed to catch a vole by the roadside, and even let me watch him eat it from just a few feet away (I was in the car, so didn't disturb him ) Maybe to many cold winter days have taken their toll
Its a nice image with a good diffuse background, the composition is a bit too central for me, the whole image moved up and left in frame so there is space forward of the bird and some of the grass etc at the base of the post would convey the 'place' better I feel.
I have seen Barn Owls in this state, it could be down to several things (often) including eating a very large prey item, but tiredness and cold is likely. Last week I had a tired female land in front of me, it dozed off and almost fell off the perch twice! But was back to normal the next day.
Agree a tad too central for me and might take a tad off the top too? Colours work well, but he does look a tad warm IMHO. Why ISO 800, as you had the SS.
Steve
Posted by David Sewell on March 8, 2010 at 5:09 PM
A slight crop and you have a beautiful image here. I suspect that there are a lot of hungry owls around at the moment, although down my way at least there is no shortage of voles.
Either one of Nigel's explanations could account for the behaviour you describe but perhaps the cold weather scenario is likely. Although this species looks reasonally large, particularly in flight, there is next to nothing on them. I looked after a rescue bird for a while and was amazed how light they are - it was a wild bird that just wasn't a capable enough hunter; it eventually died after several attempts at rehab and release.
In terms of the shot, nits covered but still better than my coverage of wild barnies.
Beautiful setting,love the layered BG,a tad off the left for me,ref the behaviour,the one I have spent some time with now displayed similar behaviour during the long cold spell recently,where the battle to find food,avoid being mobbed by the ever present Crow/Rooks took its toll,where these birds have been forced to hunt for longer periods,take more chances resulting in fatigue resulting in poor judgement,or it maybe carrying a slight injury due to the above.Lovely Barney though
Great pastal shades, nits covered.
Out of interest, my nephew took pics of a one eyed Barn Owl hunting early last year and took shots of the same bird yesterday. Just goes to prove they can be successful even when they are not 100%
Thanks to all for your comments which are very much appreciated. I hope the bird survives as I will certainly be going back to the spot to see how he is doing and for more images if I can.....
I'll have a go at a repost too.....
Posted by John Chapman on March 9, 2010 at 3:47 AM
Nits covered but still a great capture. I hope the Owl will be alright.
colours look great to me, nice fungus on the post too. when me and eric were photographing owls last year, they can look very rough sometimes, I suppose it depends on how hard it is for them to feed. agree with the rest of the comments. i also wondered on the high ISO when you have such a high shutter speed.
hi graham, there may be a few reasons that have already been commented on the bird look full to me also the post looks quiet small at the top and the wings may be in this position for balance. they are also know going through the moult and are in the breeding season which often makes them look slightly tatty. the other thing is it may be tierd from being out hunting if it has young to feed. also if the bird let you watch him feed from a short distance that may mean his conditioning is low and he did not have the energy to fly off with the prey, when they go through the moult and with breeding it can really take it out of them along with the very cold winter we have had. I think he will be fine.
non the less a nice image good detail on the post but a bit central.
Discussion
21 repliesI watched this bird for nearly an hour. Despite poor the light, he didn't open his eyes to more than a slit and his wings were in this dropped position most of the time
Can anyone tell me if the behaviour is something they've witnessed before ? He managed to catch a vole by the roadside, and even let me watch him eat it from just a few feet away (I was in the car, so didn't disturb him
1DMKIII, 500mm f4, iso800, 1/1000
A good clear shot set against a pleasingly difuse backdrop.
I have seen Barn Owls in this state, it could be down to several things (often) including eating a very large prey item, but tiredness and cold is likely. Last week I had a tired female land in front of me, it dozed off and almost fell off the perch twice! But was back to normal the next day.
Dave
Agree a tad too central for me and might take a tad off the top too? Colours work well, but he does look a tad warm IMHO. Why ISO 800, as you had the SS.
Steve
David
Either one of Nigel's explanations could account for the behaviour you describe but perhaps the cold weather scenario is likely. Although this species looks reasonally large, particularly in flight, there is next to nothing on them. I looked after a rescue bird for a while and was amazed how light they are - it was a wild bird that just wasn't a capable enough hunter; it eventually died after several attempts at rehab and release.
In terms of the shot, nits covered but still better than my coverage of wild barnies.
Cheers,
Chris
David
Out of interest, my nephew took pics of a one eyed Barn Owl hunting early last year and took shots of the same bird yesterday. Just goes to prove they can be successful even when they are not 100%
Tony
I'll have a go at a repost too.....
Mark.G
non the less a nice image good detail on the post but a bit central.
regards lewis