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WC#468 Short-eared Owl

Gallery: Weekly ChallengePosted February 5, 2011388 views21 comments

Asio flammeus

I hadn't looked at what this week's challenge was until this morning, glad I did!I should check to see what the challenge is more often.

This was taken on a foggy morning in Montana at Red Rock Lakes NWR. This beautiful owl posed for Ron Dudley and I for 13 minutes. I have quite a few images of her where she was looking right at us, I liked this one a lot.

D200, f7.1, 1/640, ISO 400, +0.3 EV, 200-400mm VR with 1.4x tc at 280mm, natural light, not baited. Larger version provided. Cropped from horizontal to vertical.

I always appreciate your comments & critiques on my images.

Comments

21 comments

Comment posted by Balan Vinod on February 5, 2011 at 10:08 AM

Another Cracker from you Mia ..The owl coming straight out of the screen. The colors make me feel its a painting too.

Well Done Mia

Balan Vinod

Registered on March 20, 2006, 889 Posts, 2312 Comments

Comment posted by Pat Sampson on February 5, 2011 at 10:26 AM

Gorgeous work Mia. Love what the fog does to the light and the light to the softened features and textures of the bird. I also like the echoing shape of the perch here. Exceptional image for my tastes.

pat

Registered on May 19, 2007, 953 Posts, 15989 Comments

Comment posted by Monica Siri on February 5, 2011 at 12:50 PM

Mia,
extraordinary yellow eyes. Great image.

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

Comment posted by Fabio Giarrizzo on February 5, 2011 at 1:09 PM

Great pose and eye contact on this image- beautiful delicate palette- Brava, Fabio

Registered on December 3, 2010, 90 Posts, 1614 Comments

Comment posted by Lon Sharp on February 5, 2011 at 5:56 PM

I agree with Pat that the echoing of shape is an exceptional (subtle) compositional element. Your processing is flawless for a buttery smooth effect, with superb detail. I especially like the forward lean of the foot showing talons and the leaning post!

Registered on December 9, 2007, 258 Posts, 9892 Comments

Comment posted by Howard Cheek on February 5, 2011 at 6:22 PM

This one really has a bead on ya Mia, very intense look I must say..
I heard it rumored that you have to actually go where they are to get a shot like this.
Anyway, no wild owls in this boys files

Registered on July 24, 2008, 1201 Posts, 10758 Comments

Comment posted by Mauro Pasquero on February 5, 2011 at 6:24 PM

Great pose and intense eye contact, Mia. Superb work in the fog. I love it a lot.
Mauro

Registered on January 21, 2010, 650 Posts, 2500 Comments

Comment posted by Richard Teller on February 5, 2011 at 7:27 PM

Just an overall great image.

Registered on August 23, 2010, 1162 Posts, 6692 Comments

Comment posted by Ron Bielefeld on February 5, 2011 at 7:48 PM

Oh, sweet! Not much else to say. Simple, with such great complimentary colors and comp. Outstanding!

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

Comment posted by Rob Graham on February 5, 2011 at 10:02 PM

even through the fog, the owl is staring you down; beautiful work, Mia

Registered on August 22, 2006, 842 Posts, 2824 Comments

Comment posted by Lorna Taylor on February 5, 2011 at 10:03 PM

Wonderful work Mia!

Registered on November 12, 2010, 254 Posts, 3083 Comments

Comment posted by Gary Marquart on February 5, 2011 at 10:27 PM

Really nice image Mia, I like the complementary background and intense stare.

Registered on October 24, 2009, 126 Posts, 799 Comments

Comment posted by Charlie VanTassel on February 6, 2011 at 12:45 AM

You are definitely getting the hairy eyeball on this one, Mia. Great photo!

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

Comment posted by Richard Olsen on February 6, 2011 at 12:50 AM

Sweet photo, Mia!
Looks like a bird with a real attitude!!
There's a lot to like in this photo...the soft light from the fog, nice feather detail, complimentary BG and those piercing yellow eyes! A winner!!

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

Comment posted by SandyRichardsBrown on February 6, 2011 at 1:20 AM

Beautiful soft light and great eyes!
Sandy

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

Comment posted by Stan Rose on February 6, 2011 at 5:08 AM

I should check to see what the challenge is more often.

You really should, Mia--every five minutes like i do...

Well, this is just about the perfect Owl-stare-down, i love it!

Registered on September 15, 2005, 836 Posts, 17099 Comments

Comment posted by Mia McPherson on February 6, 2011 at 8:21 AM

Stan,

You really should, Mia--every five minutes like i do...

I really should have, I actually have some very nice furry critters I could have posted this week if I had seen it. But since I had only one chance to post... you knew it had to be a bird, didn't you??

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

Comment posted by Steve Balke on February 6, 2011 at 8:51 AM

I wouldn't want to be a mouse with this bird around. Talk about menacing looks, Mia! Beautiful colors. Great detail and pose. Wonderful capture.

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

Comment posted by Jay Levin on February 7, 2011 at 10:29 PM

The incredible eye contact and the background were the first things that struck me when I clicked on your image. Your capture is beautiful. A real work of art.

Registered on April 24, 2009, 21 Posts, 184 Comments

Comment posted by Richard Ditch on February 8, 2011 at 10:24 PM

Awesome image with great eye contact.

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

Comment posted by Jenaya Launstein on February 26, 2011 at 3:53 PM

I love the colours on the owl! I also really like how she is staring right at you. Great picture!

Registered on February 8, 2011, 254 Posts, 1302 Comments