Portrait: Barred Owl

Gallery: AvianPosted March 13, 2011102 views10 comments

Barred Owl (Strix varia)

This is a second image of the Barred Owl that I recently came across in the Riverwood Conservancy near Toronto. In the previous one I managed to fit the whole owl in the image but in posting I had to expand the frame to improve the composition. Even with the expansion the fit was admittedly a little tight. For this image I had recognized that the bird was large in the viewfinder and I went for a portrait shot.

I think that I do prefer this image to the previous one: it's a more intimate shot and we see detail even better than in the first one.

All comments very welcome.

1D Mark IV, EF400 mm f/5.6L +1.4xTC: ISO 1250, 1/640s, f/10, 0 EV, image is 7.0 MP after cropping, NR, exposure adjustment, sharpening.

Comments

10 comments

Comment posted by Jenaya Launstein on March 13, 2011 at 2:30 PM

I love how he's staring right at you, and the sharpness looks great! The larger version really helps with the detail around his eyes. Great picture!

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

Comment posted by Sally King on March 13, 2011 at 3:09 PM

Love how the portrait brings out the details in the feathers around the face. I think I could reach out and feel their softness. I agree with Jenaya about how nice it is that the owl is staring right at you. Beautiful.

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

Comment posted by Ron Bielefeld on March 13, 2011 at 3:55 PM

Nice shot Steve. Detail is nice in the larger version. I might add just a smidge more on top if this were mine, but nice as posted.

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

Comment posted by Andy Shepherd on March 13, 2011 at 5:43 PM

The fine feather detail is superb and a good call to go portrait too, nice work Steve.

Andy...

Registered on September 24, 2006, 123 Posts, 1254 Comments

Comment posted by Richard Ditch on March 13, 2011 at 7:51 PM

Very nice detail and exposure. I prefer the full body shot of the previous post, though.

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

Comment posted by Howard Cheek on March 14, 2011 at 8:32 AM

Fine details in this plumage Steve, amazing owl macro work

I like the low key look, adds that requisite air of mystery that's befitting a bird of this stature

Excellent portrait, you won't get any nits from me

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

Comment posted by Jim Hackley on March 14, 2011 at 2:30 PM

That is close up and personal, very nice feather detail and eye contact, I also happen to like the other full image but both are fine shots, well done.

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

Comment posted by Monica Siri on March 14, 2011 at 2:53 PM

Steve,
I like both the images, but the eye contact and the mood here is superb. Great detail too.

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

Comment posted by Ron Dudley on March 14, 2011 at 8:36 PM

I like this one a lot Steve - excellent detail and your comp works for me. It's a little like comparing apples to oranges but I do prefer this one to your previous shot.

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

Comment posted by Matt Shellenberg on March 14, 2011 at 9:50 PM

Great detail in this owl, Steve. I like the way that you have composed this. Really nice eye contact. Very nice image.

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