Winter Short Eared Owl

Gallery: AvianPosted October 20, 2011817 views20 comments

Hi everyone! I'm very excited to announce that I just received an Honorable Mention for this picture in the 2011 Canadian Geographic "Wildlife Photography of the Year" Contest (Youth Division). My sister received a Runner-Up (again!) and two honorable mentions, so my dad says he's very proud as we took 4 of the 5 places in the contest!

This is another of the short-eared owl pictures I took when I got to go on a trip with my dad to Saskatchewan. My dad and I think he looks like owl royalty the way he is posing (but we don't know for sure if this is a King or Queen)!

I like how he is looking in my direction and the way the light is. I also like the way the wintery field looks behind him. We were both so happy he picked an older post to perch on, too!

This is the same owl my dad posted earlier this year, but I keep reminding him I got my picture first!

We have a deal when we go out looking for animals to photograph that if we find something on his side of the truck, he gets to photograph it, and if it's on my side, I get to. I got lucky on this trip, because almost every owl was on my side! But they were really cooperative so when I was done my dad got to get pictures of all but one.

Thank you for looking and for any comments you want to share!

Nikon D7000
AF-S Nikkor 300mm f/4 IF-ED with 1.4 TC
ISO 200
1/1250sec @ f/5.6
on beanbag from truck window
cropped to about 70% of original

Comments

20 comments

Comment posted by Sharon Hallowell on October 20, 2011 at 7:08 PM

I'm sure your Dad gets just about as much satisfaction from you getting first dibs as he does. Congrats. Sharon

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

Comment posted by Angela McCain on October 20, 2011 at 8:47 PM

Nice peaceful image. You have chosen the comp well. Congrats.

Registered on April 19, 2009, 367 Posts, 3589 Comments

Comment posted by Scott Frye on October 20, 2011 at 10:13 PM

For owl shots - its about the eyes and these show up nicely on this owl-- I like the placement of those eyes on both thirds. Very pleasing picture - gratz on the award

Registered on February 3, 2007, 387 Posts, 1136 Comments

Comment posted by Jenaya Launstein on October 20, 2011 at 10:56 PM

Sweet image, Mar! I like the comp, the background, and it seems like you have some good detail in his feathers. I also really like his perch, it's nice when owls choose to land on a post that looks old and weathered.

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

Comment posted by Ken Archer on October 21, 2011 at 4:52 AM

Congrats Marlise

The award you won is very much deserved, this is a great winter scene with a great bird. I like the way you compsed this image, it is very pleasing to look at. Sweet Photo

Ken Archer

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

Comment posted by Bill Kleinfelder on October 21, 2011 at 6:14 AM

Congrats and great shot! I'm sure your Dad is very proud of you..great job!

Registered on September 6, 2011, 14 Posts, 71 Comments

Comment posted by Ray Whitt on October 21, 2011 at 7:45 AM

Congratulation Marlise! Wonderful image and a wonderful honor!

Ray

Registered on May 27, 2011, 92 Posts, 2619 Comments

Comment posted by Alan Murphy on October 21, 2011 at 9:05 AM

I likethis image a lot. A species I still have yet to meet.

Registered on December 3, 2003, 192 Posts, 739 Comments

Comment posted by Keith Bauer on October 21, 2011 at 10:11 AM

Marlise: First a HUGE Congratulations to you for your place in the Canadian Wildlife Photography of the year contest. I'm sure you must be very excited, and well deserved. Sounds like Canada better watch out for the Launstein sisters!! You both do fantastic work.

Your image is fantastic. Your composition works great with your careful placement of the owl in the frame. Looking forward to seeing more of your award winning images. Way to go

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

Comment posted by David Hemmings on October 21, 2011 at 11:53 AM

Congratulations Marlise, this is a wonderful photo!

Registered on May 26, 2006, 178 Posts, 1680 Comments

Comment posted by Hans Overduin on October 21, 2011 at 12:32 PM

Congratulations - well deserved ! I like your image very much - superb subject and a nice environment. Greetings from The Netherlands, Hans

Registered on August 31, 2011, 491 Posts, 3807 Comments

Comment posted by Marlise Launstein on October 22, 2011 at 3:01 PM

Thank you all very much! I was so excited to find so many owls with my dad on this trip and can't wait until I get to photograph some again! I'm still hoping to find a snowy owl or two to photograph!

Thanks again!

Registered on August 31, 2011, 28 Posts, 175 Comments

Comment posted by May Haga on October 26, 2011 at 4:48 PM

Congratulations on the award. A well deserved image. I like the wintery setting, although I am not excited about winter coming here very soon.
May

Registered on February 22, 2007, 714 Posts, 8470 Comments

Comment posted by Keith Bauer on October 27, 2011 at 10:37 AM

Marlise: Congratulations on the Weekly Pick! Well deserved.

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

Comment posted by SandyRichardsBrown on October 27, 2011 at 1:10 PM

Congrats on this WP too!
This is a wonderful shot - composed perfectly, good DOF, great pose and very interesting perch and BG.
Way to go!
Sandy

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

Comment posted by Ashley Vincent on October 27, 2011 at 7:28 PM

Congratulations on yet more well deserved recognition Marlise, very much looking forward to seeing more from you soon :^)

Registered on March 1, 2011, 154 Posts, 2083 Comments

Comment posted by Nate Chappell on October 27, 2011 at 10:00 PM

Congrats Marlise, way to go!

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

Comment posted by Soubhik Patranabis on October 28, 2011 at 10:29 AM

Very nice - congrats !!

Registered on January 25, 2010, 54 Posts, 610 Comments

Comment posted by Craig Strand on November 3, 2011 at 3:12 PM

This image is very well seen and taken, I love the composition and included elements.
Congrats on you and your sisters wins and I hope to see many more of your postings here in the Avian Gallery.

Registered on March 30, 2008, 416 Posts, 2885 Comments

Comment posted by Marlise Launstein on November 3, 2011 at 5:10 PM

Thank you so much for your nice comments everyone! I'm really excited about the weekly pick!

Registered on August 31, 2011, 28 Posts, 175 Comments