Posted by Geoff Shapiro on June 25, 2006 at 10:39 AM
I guessed that the topic title might get you to look at this. From this juvenile Great Horned Owl's perspective the dogs were me and Rick Lundh who invaded the bird's territory to get pictures.
I cajoled (it really wasn't too hard) Rick to come on a trip with me to Champoeg park just south of Wilsonville because I knew of a family of GHO's that were resident there and because there are a rich variety of other birds to get pics of there. Along with this juvie GHO we also saw an osprey and a harrier along with the usual smaller passerine (LBB's - little brown birds to those of you who are not birders) species.
Rick, is a longer lens now on your list of future purchases? BTW, I really enjoyed getting out in the field with you!
20D, 300/4L IS + 1.4x TC (420mm), 1/125 @ f5.6, ISO 400
Posted by Darren White on June 25, 2006 at 5:03 PM
Great Image..I personally would crop out the branch at the bottom of the frame....thats all....nice work!
Geoff,
I had a great time out there with ya, thanks for the tour. I felt really fortunate to see the variety of birds we did see. Looks like you came away with a much better capture of this guy than I did...A better/longer lens is definitely on the agenda for me, but it may be a little while. I wasn't too thrilled with what I came away with, but it was my first bird trip so ya got to cut me some slack
This image is much sharper and noise free than mine. I think you really nailed this one
Hi Darren - After I posted the shot and took another look at it I too noticed that cropping the bottom branch would have been a good idea. So, good suggestion and I agree with you!
Rick - I'm glad that you aren't discouraged after just your first outing to try and get bird photos. It does usually take awhile before you start getting decent captures, especially of the smaller birds. My "hit" ratio is really not too great. If I can get one well composed, exposed, and sharp shot for every 20-30 shots taken then I feel fortunate. It's not at all like landscape. The dynamic nature of the subject introduces too many variables that are poorly, if at all, under the photographer's control...
Nice one, Geoff, the claws on that baby look pretty serious, eh?
Posted by Geoff Shapiro on June 25, 2006 at 11:58 PM
Thanks, Mark, and those claws do indeed look lethal. I'm not sure that this young one knows how to fully use those talons yet but I wouldn't want the bird using me for practice!
How's that for strong eye contact! He doesn't look to happy with you. Nice DOF. He's got such a soft/fuzzy head. How's it look at full resolution?
I might be inclined to crop, blur, or clone out the branch above his head.
Rick, be careful with longer lenses. They're habit forming (and they're an expensive habit).
Sean
Posted by Geoff Shapiro on June 26, 2006 at 10:06 AM
Rick and I got a good looking at from this guy, Sean! The bird and its other family members are in an area that does get a lot of people traffic but I bet that most (all?) of the people that come through don't ever notice them so the bird is probably wondering why we were. That soft/fuzzy head is his nestling down and will be disappearing soon. At full resolution it looks pretty good. I can print at 10x15 and it retains great sharpness. At 12x18 the experienced photographer starts to take note of a bit of lack of sharpness in the head area.
I decided to crop the bottom branch out which made it look better IMO but retained the branch above its head. I kind of liked that branch because it was suggestive of the array of branches that characterizes its habitat.
Discussion
9 repliesI cajoled (it really wasn't too hard) Rick to come on a trip with me to Champoeg park just south of Wilsonville because I knew of a family of GHO's that were resident there and because there are a rich variety of other birds to get pics of there. Along with this juvie GHO we also saw an osprey and a harrier along with the usual smaller passerine (LBB's - little brown birds to those of you who are not birders) species.
Rick, is a longer lens now on your list of future purchases?
20D, 300/4L IS + 1.4x TC (420mm), 1/125 @ f5.6, ISO 400
I had a great time out there with ya, thanks for the tour. I felt really fortunate to see the variety of birds we did see. Looks like you came away with a much better capture of this guy than I did...A better/longer lens is definitely on the agenda for me, but it may be a little while. I wasn't too thrilled with what I came away with, but it was my first bird trip so ya got to cut me some slack
This image is much sharper and noise free than mine. I think you really nailed this one
Rick - I'm glad that you aren't discouraged after just your first outing to try and get bird photos. It does usually take awhile before you start getting decent captures, especially of the smaller birds. My "hit" ratio is really not too great. If I can get one well composed, exposed, and sharp shot for every 20-30 shots taken then I feel fortunate. It's not at all like landscape. The dynamic nature of the subject introduces too many variables that are poorly, if at all, under the photographer's control...
I might be inclined to crop, blur, or clone out the branch above his head.
Rick, be careful with longer lenses. They're habit forming (and they're an expensive habit).
Sean
I decided to crop the bottom branch out which made it look better IMO but retained the branch above its head. I kind of liked that branch because it was suggestive of the array of branches that characterizes its habitat.
Very cool shot. I know how hard it is spotting these birds let alone shooting(with a camera) them. How long did he pose for you?