Heads up-barred owl

Gallery: AvianPosted January 5, 2012361 views27 comments

Well, this shot was the one that told me it was time to leave. After spending an awesome hour with this pair of owls, this bird, I believe, decided it did not want me intruding in its territory any longer that day. So, it flew right at me. I took a series of images as it flew towards me, but the bird got so large in the view finder I finally had to take the camera away from my face. I am glad I did, because I am convinced if I did not duck at the last second this owl would have buried its talons into the top of my head. I have never had this happen to me by any species before, save for a blue jay that had a nest in a tree near a sidewalk. Well, I don't have to be told twice. I thanked the birds for their time and slowly moved away.

I believe this image brings the viewer into the situation I just discribed pretty well. I love the detail in the face and the BG.

Please view the larger version for max impact. Thanks so much.

Canon 1DM4
500mm f/4
ISO 1000
1/2500s
f/7.1
Manual exp.
Hand held from my boat
small crop for comp only 85% of FF

Comments

27 comments

Comment posted by Harry Harris on January 5, 2012 at 8:03 PM

Wow! When I saw this image (especially the larger image), I was glad you survived unscathed. What a great image, I can see that the sun was low on the horizon and behind you from the reflection in the Owl's left eye. Fantastic.

Registered on August 2, 2010, 169 Posts, 741 Comments

Comment posted by Bill Kleinfelder on January 5, 2012 at 8:39 PM

Yes Wow! Fantastic image Ron! He is definitely coming at you at eye level.

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

Comment posted by Luke Ormand on January 5, 2012 at 8:49 PM

Incredible image - as tough as an action shot gets and you nailed it which says a lot about you AND your camera.

I've had a Barred Owl fly within inches of my head only to nail a small snake on the shoreline a foot from my kayak so I know how wild of an experience it can be. Good on you for getting out (especially in one piece)

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

Comment posted by Suzanne Huot on January 5, 2012 at 8:59 PM

He certainly appears to be on a mission ,and it could well have been you.That eye contact that you captured ,Awesome.

Registered on December 28, 2010, 32 Posts, 240 Comments

Comment posted by Barbara Graham on January 5, 2012 at 9:17 PM

The look in this owl's face is just as you describe, and definitely on a mission, as Suzanne said. These have been beautiful shots.

Registered on July 27, 2010, 1310 Posts, 5035 Comments

Comment posted by Peter Coskun on January 5, 2012 at 9:29 PM

What an experience! The framing works perfectly especially after reading the description. I've always wanted to find one of these, but don't know if we have them down here in AZ. The catchlight and reflection in the eye is the real winner. Perfect detail and exposure. Glad you were able to get the shot and keep your head!

Registered on October 31, 2011, 170 Posts, 1240 Comments

Comment posted by Brian Gatlin on January 5, 2012 at 9:50 PM

WOW! now that's cool. the detail in the face is stunning, and the intensity of the eyes is great. owls certainly lend themselves to head on views--congrats on getting yours ethically without bait, and then also knowing when it was time to leave--it's not just your image that sets the high standard here. this is one I'll come back to look at for a long time.... what a cool experience!

I would consider taking a bit off the left hand side (a couple primary tips worth) to create just a bit more symmetry for the comp.

such a spectacular shot, Ron.

I had a juvie peregrine tell me I was not welcome in a similar manner once--not something you forget!

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

Comment posted by Wayne Rhodus on January 5, 2012 at 10:08 PM

Very intense look and one could get the sense of aggression you mentioned even without the story. The best part is you nailed it even in the heat of the moment ... a true professional!

Registered on November 16, 2003, 157 Posts, 3326 Comments

Comment posted by keith mitchell on January 6, 2012 at 3:04 AM

Ron it's a superb shot i'm in awe of the qaulity.

Keith.

Registered on July 12, 2008, 127 Posts, 1735 Comments

Comment posted by John Robinson on January 6, 2012 at 7:27 AM

All been said. Head on movers never easy. Good stuff !
JohnR

Registered on March 2, 2008, 535 Posts, 2453 Comments

Comment posted by Doug Backlund on January 6, 2012 at 7:59 AM

Who knows what goes on in an owl's mind. I've had short-eared owls and long-eared owls do this to me, but always in very poor light. You really nailed this one!

Registered on September 29, 2005, 252 Posts, 3380 Comments

Comment posted by Butch Lama on January 6, 2012 at 10:44 AM

Wow... Great facial details & daunting eye contact.

Registered on July 23, 2010, 42 Posts, 316 Comments

Comment posted by Keith Bauer on January 6, 2012 at 10:52 AM

Very cool shot. Great story to go with the image. Glad you ducked!!

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

Comment posted by Charles Gangas on January 6, 2012 at 11:17 AM

Incredible image, equally incredible story. Good that you ducked and better that you knew it was time to leave.

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

Comment posted by Bill Leggett on January 6, 2012 at 2:23 PM

Pretty scary situation to be in! Glad you avoided the attack.

Registered on July 21, 2004, 706 Posts, 3233 Comments

Comment posted by Jenaya Launstein on January 6, 2012 at 2:32 PM

Amazing image, Ron! Good thing you ducked before the Owl got to you

, 'cause I'm thinking that would've hurt...a lot! The combination of the DOF and stare from the Barred Owl almost seem to give this a 3D effect. It looks like you have some great detail in the feathers!

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

Comment posted by Jim Hackley on January 6, 2012 at 2:54 PM

Way to cool, excellent shot. Those eyes really tell the story, this owl has attitude and he is going to let you know about it. Wonderful reaction to get this and get out of the way. The detail of the owls head and eyes on the larger image is superb, a pleasure to view.

I once had a cooper's hawk buzz me when I was trying to make it go away from getting some baby gambel's quail on the back porch, not something you will forget. Really great shot Ron.

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

Comment posted by Robert Bunch on January 6, 2012 at 7:05 PM

Great photo and interesting story. Excellent detail and sharpness. I believe you can count every little feather in his face. Wonderful series on the barred owl.

Registered on May 18, 2004, 124 Posts, 2503 Comments

Comment posted by Cheryl Molennor on January 6, 2012 at 8:16 PM

OH Man that is os killer. I love the face and the story that goes with the image. Hope to make it down that way soon Ron.

Registered on June 30, 2009, 300 Posts, 5051 Comments

Comment posted by Mark Schiebelbein on January 6, 2012 at 10:49 PM

Amazing! The larger image is downright scary. I am sure it is also exactly the last thing that quite a few mice out there ever saw!

Registered on November 8, 2008, 55 Posts, 393 Comments

Comment posted by Cindy Garwood on January 7, 2012 at 8:34 AM

wow great shot! I love it.

Registered on April 7, 2011, 46 Posts, 141 Comments

Comment posted by Jagdeep Rajput on January 7, 2012 at 9:28 AM

WOW !!! Terrific frame, these king of shots are acid test for any photographer. Before reading your commentry, I thought the owl appears to be invading the camera, good that you ducked in time.
Jagdeep Rajput

Registered on April 29, 2008, 686 Posts, 2857 Comments

Comment posted by Ray Whitt on January 7, 2012 at 11:18 AM

Really enjoying this series of shots. The detail here is just incredible.

Ray

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

Comment posted by Richard Ditch on January 7, 2012 at 6:10 PM

Amazing - both the image and the experience. You did the right thing.

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

Comment posted by Ron Dudley on January 7, 2012 at 6:19 PM

Wonderful! Exceptional detail in the face for a bird in flight coming at you. I especially appreciate the detail in the right eye in the larger version. Fun to read your narrative to go along with the photo. So nice to look at a photo like this and know it hasn't been baited or lured in.

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

Comment posted by Howard Cheek on January 7, 2012 at 8:10 PM

Gonna have to pull out that old saying "to die for" Ron.
Excellent in your face impact..Are you sure you didn't have a mouse on your head?

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

Comment posted by Roger Leekam on January 8, 2012 at 9:34 AM

Have seen this happen only with Red-winged Blackbirds. This is a difficult & unique shot - congratulations on getting it. Amazing sharpness!

Registered on May 28, 2009, 83 Posts, 646 Comments