Posted by Andy Shepherd on April 16, 2010 at 12:52 PM
Hi to all,
Today turned out to be a very special day, whilst on my way to the coast this morning, I noticed what looked like a very pale bird of prey sat with it's back to me on a tree stump. My first thoughts were white morph Gyr Falcon ( oh baby!! ), because no other bird of prey would have had such a pale back.
After parking the car and grabbing the camera I made my way to near where the bird was perched, as per my field craft let me down again and the bird took flight. It then became apparent that this was no Gyr Falcon ( Boo hiss!! ) but an even more gorgeous pure white Barn Owl.
After picking my jaw up off the floor, I raced back to the car and drove to near where the owl was hunting along a grass verge. By this time it was still only 06.05 and the light was still pretty poor, but I managed to capture a couple of shots after the owl landed on a near by fence post.
Your going to have to forgive the processing on this shot, as I've had to push the levels a little and use a high iso due to the poor lighting.
Processed in DPP / CS2 ( Slight crop )
1D3, 500F4IS+1.4T/c Handheld form car
1/200th @ F5.6 -1Stop iso1600
What a rare shot Andy,
Im not jealous, not at all
Bertl
Posted by Calum Dickson on April 16, 2010 at 1:54 PM
Top notch Andy I think it's leucistic, I had a similar experience last year with what turned out a leucistic buzzard and Craig Jones had a leucistic kite the other week. It is a beautiful looking bird.
Calum
Posted by Karen Summers on April 16, 2010 at 2:44 PM
well caught Andy what a beauty
Posted by Andy Shepherd on April 16, 2010 at 2:45 PM
Cheers for the comments guys.
Andy...
Posted by David Taylor on April 16, 2010 at 2:48 PM
Yes definitely not an albino. Well done indeed in capturing this unusual specimen.
Andy, I know I have said this before, but I really like this again for the simplicity. I think the tones & colour of the BG and fence really work very well against the almost clinical white of the BO. Strong comp, good position within the frame.
There is detail, but if there was more, less ISO, higher SS this would be a stunning shot. Nice one.
Steve
Posted by Phil Mclean on April 16, 2010 at 3:57 PM
What a magical find and well captured too,considering the lack of light.
Phil.
Posted by John Robinson on April 16, 2010 at 4:09 PM
Wonderful bird !
Good stuff.
JR
Posted by David Kjaer on April 16, 2010 at 4:16 PM
Nice one Andy - what a great find!
David
Posted by eric weight on April 16, 2010 at 4:18 PM
You did really well with this and what a great find. I agree with Steve, circumstances have conspired to rob you of an even better shot. Love the Charlie Chaplin feet. eric
Terrific, it will be interesting to see if you find it again and how it survives, nice picture.
Bob.
Posted by Craig Jones on April 16, 2010 at 5:12 PM
Beautiful!!! I do think this is a 'leucistic' Barn Owl,what a find,the females are more 'Whiter' than the males and there has been cases when the colour has been 'breed' out of the female over the years,the ones I have been working with vary in shape,size,colour with the female being smaller,well done on this Andy
Posted by Andy Gregory on April 16, 2010 at 5:55 PM
An excellent shot of a cracking bird
Posted by Craig McCann on April 17, 2010 at 7:11 AM
Brilliant shot of a beautiful bird!
Thanks for sharing,
Craig...
Posted by Philip Newman on April 17, 2010 at 8:49 AM
Agreed most unusual and nicely captured Andy.
Phil Newman
Posted by Andy Shepherd on April 17, 2010 at 12:57 PM
Thankyou for the very nice comments guys, always appreciated
Cheers Calum and Craig for the "Leucistic" description.
There's a couple more shots of this beautiful owl on my Blog, so if anyone would like to take a look please do.
Andy...
Posted by Ben Darvill on April 17, 2010 at 5:15 PM
Hi Andy,
Given the circs I think this is a great shot. I love the claws - they really stand out. It emphasises this weapon, which isn't usually so obvious. I can only imagine your heart rate when you initially thought it was a Gyr, but in many respects this is just as exciting!
Discussion
21 repliesHi to all,
Today turned out to be a very special day, whilst on my way to the coast this morning, I noticed what looked like a very pale bird of prey sat with it's back to me on a tree stump. My first thoughts were white morph Gyr Falcon ( oh baby!! ), because no other bird of prey would have had such a pale back.
After parking the car and grabbing the camera I made my way to near where the bird was perched, as per my field craft let me down again and the bird took flight. It then became apparent that this was no Gyr Falcon ( Boo hiss!! ) but an even more gorgeous pure white Barn Owl.
After picking my jaw up off the floor, I raced back to the car and drove to near where the owl was hunting along a grass verge. By this time it was still only 06.05 and the light was still pretty poor, but I managed to capture a couple of shots after the owl landed on a near by fence post.
Your going to have to forgive the processing on this shot, as I've had to push the levels a little and use a high iso due to the poor lighting.
Processed in DPP / CS2 ( Slight crop )
1D3, 500F4IS+1.4T/c Handheld form car
1/200th @ F5.6 -1Stop iso1600
All comments welcome and thanks for looking
Andy...
Tim
Im not jealous, not at all
Bertl
Calum
Andy...
There is detail, but if there was more, less ISO, higher SS this would be a stunning shot. Nice one.
Steve
Phil.
Good stuff.
JR
David
Bob.
Thanks for sharing,
Craig...
Phil Newman
Cheers Calum and Craig for the "Leucistic" description.
There's a couple more shots of this beautiful owl on my Blog, so if anyone would like to take a look please do.
Andy...
Given the circs I think this is a great shot. I love the claws - they really stand out. It emphasises this weapon, which isn't usually so obvious. I can only imagine your heart rate when you initially thought it was a Gyr, but in many respects this is just as exciting!
Ben
Any nits already covered.
Ian