Short-eared Owl with prey + repost

One from this morning, Short-eared Owl with a vole breakfast. I arrived on site early to be met with -5 degree temperatures and freezing fog, not the best conditions for photography but I take what I can get these days. The image has a cold feel to it ( re the colour ) but it looks about right for the conditions at the time of capture.

1/60th @ f6.3 +1stop iso800 ( 95% of FF )

Please view the large version

Thanks for the feedback on my last post and thanks for looking

There are more shots on the blog for those interested

Andy...

Andy, I think this shot could be improved by upping the brightness and warming the colour balance. Having said that, you were the person there at the time, and if it looks as you remember it (as seems to be the case), then fine to leave it as is. Having said that, a fine image of a SEO, which I would love to have taken.

David

It does, to my eyes, have a bluish tinge to the image which doesn't quite appear natural to me. Nevertheless a very competent image given the conditions, which can provide some great photographic opportunities if you are prepared to tolerate them.

Hi Andy a super image I do like the blue tones of the image.

Phil.

Hi Andy, firstly and I will mention this, the image has an untagged profile and therefore it may not be displayed as 'accurately' as it could be? I think I have fixed Bob's issues, so if you need a pointer let me know, simple fix.

I agree there is a slight blue to it, and for me, a haw frost or snow is never pure white, but just slightly adjusting the frosty white on the wire/foliage does, I think, address points made previously, but your call as it lifts across the board, but ever so slightly. Great to see them back and with a kill, great setting, nice one. One question, have you lifted (lightened) any of the body/tail feathers? No idea what body you are shooting with, but if it was a 7D then OK.

Andy as the fields have taken quite a hammering with the wet weather up there, is it to early to tell how well they are feeding and the numbers too? Just interested, as I hope my three may be back to up there too, but will have to wait until the end of the month if the 'birders' haven't scared them off.

Look forward to more.

TFS
Steve

Cheers guys, points taken on board re the slight blue cast, the colours are almost right for the lighting conditions as there was no direct sunlight, just grey skys and thick frost covering everything. I will try removing the cast at a later date so thanks for the advice.

Hi Steve, yes, shooting with the 7D, and I have lightened the whole image a touch. E-mail will be sent shortly

Andy...

Thanks.

Crikey Andy and you was going to post a lowl when you had this up your sleeve. A belter if ever I saw one

Bob

Belter, hope they are around in 2 weeks when I am over minus 5, practically tropical compared ot here :)

Bit special that

Andy

A cracking shot.

Thanks for the feedback guys

Andy...

STUNNING! The prey really makes the image complete along with the blood on the post!

Nick.

Had a play with the WB, the bluish cast has just about gone but maybe too much. Any thoughts would be appreciated.

Andy...

Spot on Andy.

Nick.

Overall Andy I think it's better, just now looking a little warm in the feathers IMHO, but then it might be due to the untagged profile perhaps?

They are a warm coloured bird so I can live with the last post.

Hey Andy leave some for me looks like a good one to me.

Keith.