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Barn Owl
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Barn Owl

by Ron Dudley

Gallery: AvianPosted October 31, 2010374 views25 comments
Shooting is still pretty slow around here so when I ran across this older image while preparing an upcoming blog post I decided to post it.

For a few weeks during the frigid winter of 2008 Barn Owls would sometimes hunt for a while in morning light. Given the sun angle and their usual flight path it was typically difficult to get ideal light on them (or strong catch lights) but I was still delighted to get the shots as I may never have an opportunity with the species during daytime again. Background is heavily frosted Phragmites.

40D, 1/2000, f/8, ISO 400, 500 f/4, 1.4 tc, tripod, small exposure adjustment in ACR, cropped to 60% of original image, sharpened bird, no additional processing or adjustments, natural light, not set up or baited

Larger image provided

Comments/critique appreciated

Comments

25 comments
Comment posted by Giorgio Gregori on October 31, 2010 at 6:07 PM
The image of the Owl in flight is very nice, but what really fascinates me in this picture is the setting in the midst of the reeds, which really gives the feeling of flying with the bird.
Excellent work as always.
Giorgio
Registered on November 16, 2007, 87 Posts, 793 Comments
Comment posted by Ron Bielefeld on October 31, 2010 at 6:11 PM
Love the low angle here Ron. Just seeing this bird out flying during the day would floor me to the point of probably missing the shot. Really nice look at this bird and I love the color scheme with the frosted Phrag. Super shot with great image quality.
Registered on December 6, 2008, 360 Posts, 7132 Comments
Comment posted by SandyRichardsBrown on October 31, 2010 at 6:34 PM
Just excellent!
The only possible nit from me would be a wish to have his head turned toward you, so both eyes were visible.
Capturing such a great shot in the daylight, with a complimentary BG is exceptional.
Sandy
Registered on November 24, 2003, 3937 Posts, 12909 Comments
Comment posted by Nancy Elwood on October 31, 2010 at 7:00 PM
Ron really wonderful image!! Terrific lighting and colors! Congrats!! :toast:
Registered on January 15, 2010, 101 Posts, 396 Comments
Comment posted by Dan Walters on October 31, 2010 at 7:01 PM
I like the angle of the light in this image. Great detail in the owl and I like vegetation in the background.
Registered on October 30, 2005, 405 Posts, 3693 Comments
Comment posted by Max Waugh on October 31, 2010 at 7:59 PM
I love the angle of this. The height of those reeds makes it seem very low, as though it's zooming close to the ground (and maybe it was). I'm fine with the angle of the face as well, since it looks like the owl is concentrating on the task at hand.

Max
Registered on September 26, 2008, 428 Posts, 2329 Comments
Comment posted by Luke Ormand on October 31, 2010 at 8:06 PM
Incredible Barn Owl shot.... exposure is great and the frosted phrag in the back is a killer backdrop. Your DOF is surprisingly good at f/8 and it's nice to see you stopped the action
Registered on February 4, 2009, 1093 Posts, 7035 Comments
Comment posted by Richard Ditch on October 31, 2010 at 9:22 PM
Talk about a fantasy setting - this is wonderful.
Registered on November 1, 2003, 1031 Posts, 12705 Comments
Comment posted by Ken Archer on October 31, 2010 at 10:21 PM
AWESOME flight shot Ron :cool:

Ken Archer
Registered on October 28, 2004, 222 Posts, 6683 Comments
Comment posted by Steve Balke on October 31, 2010 at 10:21 PM
Beautiful combination of a BIF and habitat shot, Ron. The vegetation in the shot adds so much realism. Wonderful colors too. :toast: :toast:
Registered on June 18, 2009, 229 Posts, 2915 Comments
Comment posted by Angela McCain on October 31, 2010 at 11:18 PM
I love everything about this image. Well timed and nice and low. I also like that the background does not compete with the delicate color and pattern of the owl. I'm also impressed that you were out in that weather.
Registered on April 19, 2009, 367 Posts, 3589 Comments
Comment posted by Rob Drummond on November 1, 2010 at 3:50 AM
This is up there with your best Ron. Nice and sharp and that background is to die for.

cheers
Rob
Registered on November 8, 2003, 617 Posts, 8267 Comments
Comment posted by Richard Peters on November 1, 2010 at 7:05 AM
This might be the best Barn Owl image I've seen! Incredible shot! :toast: :toast:
Registered on December 22, 2005, 28 Posts, 126 Comments
Comment posted by Robert Bunch on November 1, 2010 at 8:37 AM
Excellent shot. I would like to just see one of these much less get a shot this good. Good job.
Registered on May 18, 2004, 124 Posts, 2503 Comments
Comment posted by Kirk Greene on November 1, 2010 at 11:26 AM
This is silly good. I'm glad shooting is slow so you had time to go back in the archives for this one. :toast: :toast:
Registered on May 12, 2004, 191 Posts, 1578 Comments
Comment posted by Nick Saunders on November 1, 2010 at 12:48 PM
You could/ should ,release a calendar showcasing your raptor shots Ron. This is magical. :smile:
Registered on February 6, 2008, 321 Posts, 3035 Comments
Comment posted by David Haynes on November 1, 2010 at 2:26 PM
I can't believe you never posted this Ron. What a catch. The frosted Phrag in the background puts it over the top for me. Well done Ron. :toast:
Registered on February 20, 2010, 110 Posts, 1511 Comments
Comment posted by Monica Siri on November 1, 2010 at 2:45 PM
A superb image of this beautiful bird, Ron. Congrats!
Registered on September 20, 2009, 132 Posts, 3764 Comments
Comment posted by richard ettlinger on November 1, 2010 at 5:31 PM
Nice Ron! An owl dream about capturing! :toast:
Registered on June 17, 2004, 377 Posts, 1565 Comments
Comment posted by Bill Leggett on November 1, 2010 at 6:23 PM
Another nice one as usual, Ron. Those Phragmites make for a pleasing and complimentary BG.
Registered on July 21, 2004, 706 Posts, 3233 Comments
Comment posted by mark cillo on November 1, 2010 at 8:41 PM
Wow! This is amazing! :toast:
Registered on July 27, 2008, 143 Posts, 1483 Comments
Comment posted by Dan Harbour on November 1, 2010 at 10:21 PM
Just excellent. Perfect pose, and wonderful detail. Background is very complimentary. :toast:
Registered on January 4, 2008, 113 Posts, 2416 Comments
Comment posted by Rohn B. McKee on November 2, 2010 at 9:50 PM
Absolutely beautiful Ron. How cold was it?
Registered on November 18, 2008, 109 Posts, 415 Comments
Comment posted by Ron Dudley on November 2, 2010 at 9:56 PM
Thanks Rohn. I don't remember for sure exactly how cold it was but if you check out my latest blog post it'll give you an idea what it was like shooting these owls, temps and otherwise.
Registered on March 30, 2007, 437 Posts, 10915 Comments
Comment posted by Dennis Plank on November 3, 2010 at 9:27 PM
Beautiful, Ron. Great bg, and excellent detail in the bird. :toast:
Registered on January 28, 2008, 1767 Posts, 23192 Comments