You think you are cold?

Gallery: AvianPosted December 23, 2009303 views14 comments

Barn Owl
Tyto alba

This image was taken last Friday, early enough that the sun had not begun to shine through the dismally heavy, freezing fog. We spotted this owl perched on one of the signs at the MBR with icy frost still clinging to its feathers and facial disc.

In processing I did not brighten this much for two reasons, one being that brightening this too far would introduce noise and two because this shows the naturally low light that the image was taken in. I processed this specifically to retain the mood the fog created.

We did a loop to look for other birds at the MBR and by the time we came back, the owl was gone, so no pictures in better light... yet.

D200, lens resting on pickup window, f7.1, 1/125, ISO 320, 200-400mm VR with 1.4x TC at 400mm, EV +0.3, natural light, 89% of original image, not baited.

Sorry there isn't any eye contact but as you can see the frost got in the way.

As always, I sincerely appreciate your comments & critiques. Thank you for looking. Happy Holidays to everyone.

Comments

14 comments

Comment posted by Nick Saunders on December 23, 2009 at 4:47 PM

I would love to see as Barn Owl in North America. This guy obviously had recently plunged down to look for food. i like the moody feel of this one and the sign he is sitting on adds a rather ironic touch

Registered on February 6, 2008, 321 Posts, 3035 Comments

Comment posted by Guy Rogers on December 23, 2009 at 5:23 PM

Hello Mai.

Super feel to this image and that ice on the owls face is amazing.

Registered on January 16, 2007, 450 Posts, 995 Comments

Comment posted by Ron Bielefeld on December 23, 2009 at 5:37 PM

Awesome image Mia. I love the frost and the fact that the owl looked right at you giving the viewer such a good look at the face and all that frost. You have to feel for the wildlife under these conditions. I am glad you processed this the way you did.

Registered on December 6, 2008, 360 Posts, 7132 Comments

Comment posted by Richard Ditch on December 23, 2009 at 5:55 PM

Very moody as presented. Good idea not to cook this in post processing to make it look like something it was not. I love foggy conditions and miss them from my NJ days - here in the dry desert it doesn't happen very often.

Registered on November 1, 2003, 1031 Posts, 12705 Comments

Comment posted by David Williams on December 23, 2009 at 6:20 PM

I love this shot, Mia! We have been under the ice fog spell for the last few days also.....the sun finally came out this afternoon. The frost on his face is perfect to show the conditions.....wish we had some Barn Owls up this way.

Registered on March 8, 2005, 315 Posts, 2291 Comments

Comment posted by Brian Gatlin on December 23, 2009 at 9:13 PM

I think I'd have my eyes closed too! Interesting that the head is turned though--he must be squinting out at you. Lighting looks entirely appropriate to the conditions to me.

Registered on March 21, 2009, 202 Posts, 4187 Comments

Comment posted by Luke Ormand on December 24, 2009 at 12:03 AM

Excellent find - it's incredible what Nature can put up with.

- Luke

Registered on February 4, 2009, 1093 Posts, 7035 Comments

Comment posted by Steve Balke on December 24, 2009 at 8:04 AM

Yet another wonderful image, Mia. You've posted so many and yet found time to also make so many helpful comments. Happy Holidays to you too.

Registered on June 18, 2009, 229 Posts, 2915 Comments

Comment posted by Dennis Plank on December 24, 2009 at 10:08 AM

A very neat image, Lia. It shows just how good an insulation those feathers are. I like the foggy mood, but they I've always been fond of ice fog.

Registered on January 28, 2008, 1767 Posts, 23192 Comments

Comment posted by Sally King on December 24, 2009 at 10:30 AM

I love it. He is saying where's the waterfowl? The foggy conditions certainly enhance the image. Great look at that cold face.

Registered on December 2, 2008, 416 Posts, 4450 Comments

Comment posted by Richard Olsen on December 24, 2009 at 12:26 PM

Wooh! that does look cold! Well presented and very nice detail
I'll bet you were thankful for the inside warmth of a vehicle!

Registered on October 19, 2006, 306 Posts, 1571 Comments

Comment posted by Graham Brown on December 24, 2009 at 12:34 PM

That's a lovely moody image Mia and you did right not to over process it. Most of us can identify being out in these conditions but not many can capture the cold feeling as you have done here. The ice on the face is terrific. Graham

Registered on November 20, 2007, 275 Posts, 1365 Comments

Comment posted by Monica Siri on December 24, 2009 at 2:52 PM

A unique shot, Mia!! I like it a lot. The foggy atmosphere is a bonus.
Merry Christmas to you too!!

Registered on September 20, 2009, 132 Posts, 3764 Comments

Comment posted by Simon Bennett on December 25, 2009 at 12:08 AM

Super capture Mia - the frosty face is something else.

Registered on February 4, 2007, 350 Posts, 4614 Comments