Great Horned Owl

Gallery: AvianPosted July 2, 2010279 views22 comments

Another owl from our recent Montana trip - this time a Great Horned juvenile. The unnatural setting may not appeal to some but I've always been partial to owls in old buildings - this one is an 80 year old granary on my family's farm in NW Montana. These owls have produced youngsters for many years now and I'm always delighted to see them when I go back "home".

It was a cold early morning and I think dew was responsible for the "spiky hair" effect here.

7D, 1/250, f/7.1, ISO 250, 500 f/4, 1.4 tc, shot from tripod on 6/23/10, cropped to 52% of original image, increased exposure very slightly in ACR, sharpened, no other adjustments or processing, natural early morning light, not baited

Larger version provided (smaller version heavily compressed)

Comments/critique appreciated

Comments

22 comments

Comment posted by Brian Gatlin on July 2, 2010 at 7:55 PM

he sure looks bedraggled--not nearly as fierce as these usually look! great light, great details, nice 180 degree head turn, and I like the old building, Ron. very nicely done.

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

Comment posted by Richard Ditch on July 2, 2010 at 8:55 PM

Awesome detail; great color and composition. A riveting image.

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

Comment posted by denise ippolito on July 2, 2010 at 9:06 PM

Ron, I like the lighting and the unique composition. Very nice sharp details! Well captured.

Registered on December 17, 2009, 202 Posts, 1529 Comments

Comment posted by Kirk Greene on July 2, 2010 at 9:23 PM

The detail & image quality in the large version is awesome. I actually like the old building..it gives a unique feel to this image. Thanks for sharing!

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

Comment posted by Luke Ormand on July 2, 2010 at 10:27 PM

This poor guy looks so sleepy Ron. I really like how it is framed in the window

- Luke

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

Comment posted by Jeff Loomis on July 2, 2010 at 11:20 PM

Superb! The owl is amazingly sharp and the warm light makes it like he is part of that old barn. There is a ton of character in those boards too.

Registered on January 26, 2010, 68 Posts, 719 Comments

Comment posted by Dennis Plank on July 2, 2010 at 11:38 PM

Sheer perfection, Ron!

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

Comment posted by Terry Sohl on July 2, 2010 at 11:58 PM

This is just awesome! Glad I took some time to peek out here, as this is just beautiful. The light is terrific as well, and the setting to me is just perfect.

Registered on November 1, 2003, 513 Posts, 6889 Comments

Comment posted by Philip Hodgkins on July 3, 2010 at 1:36 AM

Ron, this is a masterwork. Give it a place of honor in your folder!

Registered on July 24, 2006, 2741 Posts, 12349 Comments

Comment posted by David Chauvin on July 3, 2010 at 6:31 AM

Fantastic light in this image, Ron. I think the weathered barn window makes a fantastic setting. This looks great as is, but since this is only ~50% of the original I'm wondering about other crop options showing more of the scene.

Registered on August 5, 2004, 1007 Posts, 5595 Comments

Comment posted by John Tobias on July 3, 2010 at 7:29 AM

Very nice photo I like the composition with the old building and the light. Thanks for posting.

Registered on September 12, 2009, 2120 Posts, 6455 Comments

Comment posted by Daniel & Loana on July 3, 2010 at 7:45 AM

The composition and the light are really wonderful here.

Congrats

D&L

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

Comment posted by Charles Gangas on July 3, 2010 at 8:33 AM

Great detail in both the bird and the barn wood. The composition sings trophy image Ron.

Registered on August 12, 2009, 544 Posts, 2414 Comments

Comment posted by Darren McKenna on July 3, 2010 at 10:15 AM

I like the light here Ron and the dark BG. You also have nice detail in your image. I always think of Owls and buildings going hand in hand and to me is probably the only bird that looks good at a building. A beauty.

darrenmckenna.com

Registered on October 28, 2008, 31 Posts, 214 Comments

Comment posted by Sally King on July 3, 2010 at 2:58 PM

Those eyes are amazing. Lovely light too. I like the spikey hair-do. Maybe it's just hair gel. I myself really like this setting for the owl. Great image.

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

Comment posted by Dan Harbour on July 4, 2010 at 2:38 AM

Great shot, Ron. Love the owl and love the old barn. wonderful pose and head turn.

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

Comment posted by Michael Lotito on July 4, 2010 at 5:08 AM

Ron,

Really like the setting on this! The owl and the old barn seem to want to tell a story! Wonderful detail on the bird! A winner in my mind!

Registered on June 26, 2009, 181 Posts, 1558 Comments

Comment posted by Steve Balke on July 4, 2010 at 8:01 AM

Wonderful shot, Ron. I like everything about it.

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

Comment posted by Richard Olsen on July 4, 2010 at 3:57 PM

Sweet photo Ron...love the abstract of the barn opening

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

Comment posted by Mia McPherson on July 4, 2010 at 4:44 PM

Simply excellent Ron, very appealing. Love the old wood, the pose and head turn and how the blackness behind the owl accentuates its lovely coloration in the early morning light.

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

Comment posted by Peter Conway on July 4, 2010 at 9:54 PM

Ron, I agree with you about owls in old wood buildings, its a romantic setting for them. Even the rusty nail heads add to the character of this image.

Beautiful, and made even better for you by its connection to "home". One to print.

Peter

Registered on June 25, 2007, 347 Posts, 3913 Comments

Comment posted by William Donnelly on July 5, 2010 at 8:26 PM

WOW! fantastic shot.

Registered on February 1, 2004, 31 Posts, 54 Comments