Just another one taken in the warm afternoon light, which made a change from the howling gale and torrential rain that I previously encountered. I gather they are now being to migrate back to this location, fingers crossed for Feb!
Steve
Subject: Snowy Owl taking in the rays in the late afternoon (Bubo scandiacus)
Location: Canada
Camera: Canon MKIV
Lens: 500f/4 + 1.4x MKIII - Gitzo tripod/Wimberley head
Exposure: 1/1000s at f/9 ISO400 0 compensation
Crop: Slight crop (original capture vertical)
Subject distance: 17m
Posted by Bob Johnson on December 7, 2012 at 8:34 AM
Thats a smart owl Steve How did it look in pano?
Bob
Posted by Andy Astbury on December 7, 2012 at 8:45 AM
Yummy
I love the tonality of the face and the front of the bird Stevo - really stands out against that BG.
Works for me all day long - would look great printed metallic to preserve the "glow"
Andy, helps with channels & mask. % Royalties? Works for me all day long - would look great printed metallic to preserve the "glow" - Can have a word with Santa if you like?
Posted by Neil Burton on December 7, 2012 at 10:58 AM
Large one is stunning.
Posted by Andy Shepherd on December 7, 2012 at 11:05 AM
Excellent work, Steve. Never realized just how big the feet/talons are on this species; they are like snow shovels, which is about right I guess.
Top shot Mr K.
Andy...
Posted by David Sewell on December 7, 2012 at 11:11 AM
Lovely, lovely shot, Steve.
David
Posted by Nick Mckeown on December 7, 2012 at 11:25 AM
Great colours and detail Steve but I have a problem with the crop...see my blackbird post.
Nick,
Posted by Barry Southon on December 7, 2012 at 12:27 PM
Steve
A female in prime condition and so photogenic a cracker.
You had me going on that one Bob, must remember to avoid April 1 for posting, no worries.
Posted by Barry Southon on December 7, 2012 at 1:45 PM
Steve
The prime indication is the patination of the front feathers the female has far greater number of black markings as indicated in your image. As with most owl species that I've been fortunate enough to encounter the male is predominately smaller too. I'm no expert purely my observation plus additional factual reading. I was so fortunate to encounter several Snowies earlier this year when they migrated much further south this year in search of food.
Your advice in respect of equipment protection in extreme temperatures was very helpful thank you. Steve I always appreciate the fact so many forum members are willing to share their knowledge in many areas. It's the unique ingredient of the forum which you ably demonstrate.
Steve it looks like another top class shot from yourself,must agree with Barry re below.
Steve I always appreciate the fact so many forum members are willing to share their knowledge in many areas. It's the unique ingredient of the forum which you ably demonstrate.
Thanks Keith.
Posted by John Robinson on December 7, 2012 at 9:27 PM
Looked at this and come back to it a few times.
In my limited experience it is crying out for something to "look into" on the right. This same old chestnut has come up so many timeson here. Even a slice off the left woiuld help. The bird gives the impression it is looking into somewhere we cant percieve. Maybe even a bit off the bottom as well.and some off the top. Of course if you filled the frame shooting upright there is not a lot you can do I suppose - supposing there is no crop. This is always the problem with big in frame real time shooting.- you loose the depth of field anyway,and have no room for artistic adjustments later.(Which a publisher would want to impose anyway ! )
Leaving possibilties open for cropping is in my opinion the most important aspect of digital photography with todays high quality equipment Leaving a bit of room for adjustment later will not be noticed in the final result with todays gear anyway.
Just my persional opinion.
JR
JR
Posted by David Taylor on December 8, 2012 at 12:01 PM
A superb 2D capture of the subject. A shame about the OOF plant life in the BG, which I find slightly distracting.
Posted by Phil Ellard on December 9, 2012 at 8:55 AM
I remember this series from last year I am sure if so still a spectacular bird and hope you get some more on your next trip
Discussion
18 repliesSteve
Subject: Snowy Owl taking in the rays in the late afternoon (Bubo scandiacus)
Location: Canada
Camera: Canon MKIV
Lens: 500f/4 + 1.4x MKIII - Gitzo tripod/Wimberley head
Exposure: 1/1000s at f/9 ISO400 0 compensation
Crop: Slight crop (original capture vertical)
Subject distance: 17m
Bob
I love the tonality of the face and the front of the bird Stevo - really stands out against that BG.
Works for me all day long - would look great printed metallic to preserve the "glow"
Andy, helps with channels & mask.
Works for me all day long - would look great printed metallic to preserve the "glow" - Can have a word with Santa if you like?
Excellent work, Steve. Never realized just how big the feet/talons are on this species; they are like snow shovels, which is about right I guess.
Top shot Mr K.
Andy...
David
Nick,
A female in prime condition and so photogenic a cracker.
Barry what are the key features to distinguish, difficult with all those feathers
BTW was the note helpful about cold climates & gear?
Bob
The prime indication is the patination of the front feathers the female has far greater number of black markings as indicated in your image. As with most owl species that I've been fortunate enough to encounter the male is predominately smaller too. I'm no expert purely my observation plus additional factual reading. I was so fortunate to encounter several Snowies earlier this year when they migrated much further south this year in search of food.
Your advice in respect of equipment protection in extreme temperatures was very helpful thank you. Steve I always appreciate the fact so many forum members are willing to share their knowledge in many areas. It's the unique ingredient of the forum which you ably demonstrate.
Steve I always appreciate the fact so many forum members are willing to share their knowledge in many areas. It's the unique ingredient of the forum which you ably demonstrate.
Thanks Keith.
In my limited experience it is crying out for something to "look into" on the right. This same old chestnut has come up so many timeson here. Even a slice off the left woiuld help. The bird gives the impression it is looking into somewhere we cant percieve. Maybe even a bit off the bottom as well.and some off the top. Of course if you filled the frame shooting upright there is not a lot you can do I suppose - supposing there is no crop. This is always the problem with big in frame real time shooting.- you loose the depth of field anyway,and have no room for artistic adjustments later.(Which a publisher would want to impose anyway ! )
Leaving possibilties open for cropping is in my opinion the most important aspect of digital photography with todays high quality equipment Leaving a bit of room for adjustment later will not be noticed in the final result with todays gear anyway.
Just my persional opinion.
JR
JR