Barred owl

Gallery: AvianPosted March 28, 2012250 views23 comments

I like how the DOF worked out in this shot. Owl is still the center of attention, but the BG is blurred enough while still letting the viewer know what habitat was back behind.

Please view the larger version for max details. Thanks much.

Canon 1DM4
Canon 500mm f/4 + 1.4x TC
ISO 800
1/3200s
f/8
Manual exp.
Hand held from my boat

Comments

23 comments

Comment posted by Charlie VanTassel on March 28, 2012 at 2:44 PM

Pretty good to get your AF to track through this woodsy background. I like the mix of browns in the background. It really fits the subject well. The large version shows a lot of depth... great job, Ron.

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

Comment posted by Philip Hodgkins on March 28, 2012 at 3:02 PM

Excellent detail. I like the BG very much. Couldn't get much better, unless the owl was flying more toward you. Top notch!

Registered on July 24, 2006, 2741 Posts, 12349 Comments

Comment posted by Matt Shellenberg on March 28, 2012 at 3:14 PM

Sweet flight shot, Ron. Awesome detail in the owl and a great wing position. I agree, the background is great. It is nice to see the habitat it is in. All around, a superb image.

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

Comment posted by Richard Ditch on March 28, 2012 at 4:04 PM

Excellent. I love the BG textures and colors that provide context to the owl. The owl ain't bad, either.

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

Comment posted by Scott Frye on March 28, 2012 at 4:21 PM

Owl really pops from that background -- almost a 3D look -- very nicely done

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

Comment posted by Verdon on March 28, 2012 at 4:36 PM

nice one!!!!

Registered on June 10, 2011, 147 Posts, 1444 Comments

Comment posted by Harry Harris on March 28, 2012 at 4:42 PM

Ron, I agree with Charlie's comments completely. Great image showing the environment of the Owl. Love this image.

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

Comment posted by Sally Wood on March 28, 2012 at 5:44 PM

I have Barred Owls in my back yard , and I love watching them.. this is an exquisite catch in my novice opinion.. thanks for the inspriration!

Registered on March 8, 2012, 39 Posts, 509 Comments

Comment posted by Charles Gangas on March 28, 2012 at 8:48 PM

Outstanding capture Ron. I like the flight position, and the DOF offers habitat without distraction and highlights the excellent detail of the owl.

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

Comment posted by Patrick O'Healy on March 28, 2012 at 10:22 PM

He looks like he is "sleep flying" in slow motion. Just casual. You have really caught something good.

Registered on March 13, 2011, 326 Posts, 1679 Comments

Comment posted by Nate Chappell on March 28, 2012 at 10:30 PM

The large version looks great Ron, I like the bg and he stands out well against it.

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

Comment posted by KC Choo on March 28, 2012 at 10:45 PM

It's all been said - great shot!

Not quite sure what that trailing thing is - string or nesting material, I wonder.

Registered on November 15, 2004, 519 Posts, 8278 Comments

Comment posted by Stuart Williams on March 29, 2012 at 1:46 AM

nicely done, ron. i also like the patterns on the owl's wings - and how it matches with the BG - suggesting camouflage ... very good.

Registered on December 7, 2007, 247 Posts, 4792 Comments

Comment posted by Ken Archer on March 29, 2012 at 3:18 AM

Awesome flight capture, love all that detail!!!

Ken Archer

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

Comment posted by Alan Bryant on March 29, 2012 at 3:31 AM

Very nice image Ron, your DOF is great showing the habitat

As with KC, what is that string looking abject coming from its rear ?

Registered on March 31, 2006, 473 Posts, 1081 Comments

Comment posted by Geoff Powell on March 29, 2012 at 7:00 AM

What an angelic look on the face. Smile and all. Great capture.

Registered on March 20, 2012, 21 Posts, 170 Comments

Comment posted by David Chauvin on March 29, 2012 at 12:24 PM

Excellent! I've been trying to get a decent flight shot of this species for years.

Registered on August 5, 2004, 1007 Posts, 5595 Comments

Comment posted by May Haga on March 29, 2012 at 1:43 PM

A beauty Ron. I agree that the background just slightly out-of-focus works very well.
May

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

Comment posted by Barbara Graham on March 29, 2012 at 8:33 PM

Perfect! Love the background being there but blurred and the sharpness and closeness of the owl.

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

Comment posted by Bob McQuade on March 29, 2012 at 8:50 PM

Very IMPRESSIVE !

Registered on October 8, 2009, 214 Posts, 432 Comments

Comment posted by Ron Bielefeld on March 30, 2012 at 8:05 PM

The "thing" is caught on a primary flight feather and it is a piece of cypress twig/leaf. I have better views of it on other images, so I know exactly what it is. These birds fly from cypress tree to tree and often times hit branches going in and out.

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

Comment posted by Alan Bryant on March 31, 2012 at 7:16 AM

Thanks Ron, i was thinking it was something like that

Registered on March 31, 2006, 473 Posts, 1081 Comments

Comment posted by Bill Kleinfelder on April 2, 2012 at 6:01 AM

Another outstanding shot Ron! Awesome BG! I noticed something trailing just below the tail. Was it carrying something?

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