Barn Owl

Gallery: AvianPosted March 2, 2010437 views41 comments

The winter of two years ago was bitterly cold around here and as a result Barn Owls would occasionally hunt into the morning hours in order to survive. I haven't seen it happen since - a fact that I lament but I'm sure the owls are happy about it. I've only seen one Barn Owl out and about since roughly the time this shot was taken.

Please view the larger image for critique.

40D, 1/3200, f/8, ISO 400, 500 f/4, 1.4 tc, tripod, taken on 2-19-08, cropped to 65% of original image, sharpened, no other processing, natural light, not baited

Comments/critique appreciated

Comments

41 comments

Comment posted by Raymond Klassen on March 2, 2010 at 6:05 PM

Beautiful lighting and pose. You nailed this one. I especially like the illusion of the wing being translucent.

Registered on November 30, 2008, 114 Posts, 790 Comments

Comment posted by Dan Moore on March 2, 2010 at 6:06 PM

Ron,

Really good depth and detail and little work in processing. Congradulations!
There have been some super Owls out here.

Dan

Registered on February 11, 2010, 143 Posts, 1248 Comments

Comment posted by Luke Ormand on March 2, 2010 at 7:12 PM

Exquisite photo and a wonderful pose. Feet look a bit sharper than the face though and as this is cropped I'm wondering where the focus point was.

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

Comment posted by Dan Harbour on March 2, 2010 at 7:21 PM

Exceptional. Very sharp, great exposure. wonderful action and I love the pose.

Registered on January 4, 2008, 113 Posts, 2416 Comments

Comment posted by wade pettitt on March 2, 2010 at 7:25 PM

Ron, this is a great shot . I love the dof and the exsposure is great.

Registered on May 6, 2009, 184 Posts, 471 Comments

Comment posted by Ron Dudley on March 2, 2010 at 7:29 PM

"I'm wondering where the focus point was."

Luke, I just checked in DPR. The focus point was on the top of the head, just behind the eye.

Registered on March 30, 2007, 437 Posts, 10915 Comments

Comment posted by Luke Ormand on March 2, 2010 at 7:54 PM

Thanks Ron, I guess I should know better than to question your tracking abilities!

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

Comment posted by Ken Archer on March 2, 2010 at 8:22 PM

Amazing flight shot Ron!!! Great light and detail!

Ken Archer

Registered on October 28, 2004, 222 Posts, 6683 Comments

Comment posted by Richard Ditch on March 2, 2010 at 8:24 PM

A real beauty. I'm quite jealous of this.

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

Comment posted by SandyRichardsBrown on March 2, 2010 at 8:55 PM

Ron, perfect exposure and detail on this guy!
The BG is great as well as the comp.
For owls, it always strikes me as odd that their eyes are so small and deep.
Sandy r

Registered on November 24, 2003, 3937 Posts, 12909 Comments

Comment posted by Simon Bennett on March 2, 2010 at 9:17 PM

I like the delicate quality of this image, with the feet indicating a truer intent.

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

Comment posted by Keith Bauer on March 2, 2010 at 9:20 PM

Really beautiful image. I really like the background as it compliments the owl. Perfect exposure and sharpness.

Registered on November 20, 2003, 458 Posts, 4836 Comments

Comment posted by Matt Shellenberg on March 2, 2010 at 10:04 PM

I can only think of one thing to say about this, Ron. SPECTACULAR!!!!

Registered on February 6, 2008, 168 Posts, 3118 Comments

Comment posted by Sharon Hallowell on March 2, 2010 at 10:16 PM

Superb!

Registered on November 1, 2003, 392 Posts, 4810 Comments

Comment posted by Gary Gulash on March 2, 2010 at 10:21 PM

Very nice soft colors, the background matches the bird wonderfully. Excellent dof, excellent flight shot.

Registered on January 28, 2005, 879 Posts, 12098 Comments

Comment posted by Brian Gatlin on March 2, 2010 at 10:44 PM

this is wonderful! flat-out spectacular in every respect. that's all I can say. what a beauty!

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

Comment posted by Bryan Hix on March 2, 2010 at 11:15 PM

Ron, great job. I have never seen a barn owl in the wild and would be very pleased with this capture.

Registered on June 13, 2008, 117 Posts, 755 Comments

Comment posted by Charlie VanTassel on March 2, 2010 at 11:36 PM

I'm pretty jealous of this one too. I say we form a posse and go after this guy already.

Registered on October 18, 2006, 644 Posts, 4801 Comments

Comment posted by Ryan DesJardins on March 2, 2010 at 11:39 PM

excellent!

Registered on September 11, 2005, 170 Posts, 276 Comments

Comment posted by Nate Chappell on March 2, 2010 at 11:46 PM

That's a beauty Ron, congrats

Registered on February 1, 2006, 1158 Posts, 19528 Comments

Comment posted by Nick Saunders on March 3, 2010 at 3:08 AM

Top notch Ron ! I love the lighting and the dreamy BG

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

Comment posted by Craig Jones on March 3, 2010 at 7:49 AM

Beautiful

lovely colours and detail,oof foreground adds to the image IMO well done

Registered on January 31, 2009, 67 Posts, 316 Comments

Comment posted by KC Choo on March 3, 2010 at 10:12 AM

Wonderful to get this in flight like this! Congrats!

Registered on November 15, 2004, 519 Posts, 8278 Comments

Comment posted by Greg Cope on March 3, 2010 at 10:19 AM

Just outstanding Ron. I love the wing posture so you can really see the details of the underside of the bird and wings.

Registered on January 22, 2007, 212 Posts, 2737 Comments

Comment posted by Rebecka on March 3, 2010 at 10:33 AM

Simply gorgeous. Lovely to be able to see all the details under this bird's outstretched wing.

Registered on February 5, 2009, 170 Posts, 924 Comments

Comment posted by Jim Hackley on March 3, 2010 at 10:51 AM

Wow, excellent shot Ron, just a pleasure to view, well done.

Registered on September 17, 2009, 302 Posts, 5535 Comments

Comment posted by Giorgio Gregori on March 3, 2010 at 12:23 PM

Your collection of excellent shots seems to be inexhaustible.
Impressive sharpness.
Giorgio

Registered on November 16, 2007, 87 Posts, 793 Comments

Comment posted by Monica Siri on March 3, 2010 at 2:38 PM

Another wonderful capture, Ron. Brilliantly done!

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

Comment posted by Daniel & Loana on March 3, 2010 at 3:04 PM

Great shot!

D&L

Registered on October 7, 2008, 166 Posts, 3044 Comments

Comment posted by Cheryl Molennor on March 3, 2010 at 3:39 PM

Ron that is so fareeekin awesome.Perfect wing postion and detail and even a catchlight.

Registered on June 30, 2009, 300 Posts, 5051 Comments

Comment posted by Ron Bielefeld on March 3, 2010 at 4:27 PM

OUTSTANDING! Why were you hiding this shot! Man I want one. Really wonderfull bird and BG.

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

Comment posted by Kevin Thompson on March 3, 2010 at 6:19 PM

Wish it was mine...Very nice Ron

Registered on March 15, 2005, 114 Posts, 2639 Comments

Comment posted by Isaac Bauman on March 3, 2010 at 7:13 PM

Nice shot. Tack sharp

Registered on June 15, 2009, 22 Posts, 81 Comments

Comment posted by mark cillo on March 3, 2010 at 10:37 PM

This is awesome. Great work again!

Registered on July 27, 2008, 143 Posts, 1483 Comments

Comment posted by Kirk Greene on March 3, 2010 at 11:11 PM

WOW!! Count me in as another member of the "Jealous Posse"!

Registered on May 12, 2004, 191 Posts, 1578 Comments

Comment posted by Dennis Plank on March 4, 2010 at 12:21 AM

Sweet, Ron. Lovely detail and light.

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

Comment posted by Sandra Hendrikse on March 4, 2010 at 2:45 AM

Wow, what a fantastic shot.

Registered on January 23, 2008, 48 Posts, 769 Comments

Comment posted by Rob Drummond on March 4, 2010 at 4:48 AM

As good as i've seen of this species Ron - what's it been doing in the archives since 2008!!??

cheers
Rob

Registered on November 8, 2003, 617 Posts, 8267 Comments

Comment posted by David Sparks on March 4, 2010 at 8:25 AM

Ron:
The most striking features of this outstanding photo are the profile, positions of the wings, sharpness and eye contact. I really like this profile, as opposed to the more usual head-on shots, especially with the wing elevated to expose the beautiful markings of the body. Wow!

Registered on May 26, 2007, 290 Posts, 4270 Comments

Comment posted by Mia McPherson on March 4, 2010 at 8:30 AM

Ron,

You already know I think this is a stunning image, but I'll say it again.

This is a stunning image!!

Registered on June 25, 2007, 491 Posts, 12566 Comments

Comment posted by Greg Schneider on March 5, 2010 at 8:24 AM

Those soft tones are just great, and the split background is just killer. Could only wish for a slightly better head angle and catchlight.

Registered on February 9, 2008, 84 Posts, 138 Comments