Screech Owl

Gallery: AvianPosted March 31, 2012202 views17 comments

Just back from a mostly non-photography trip to pick up a travel trailer in Texas (we did stop in Kearney Nebraska for the cranes-images to come). The evening after we picked it up we were setting up camp in Dinosaur Canyon State Park just ahead of a thunderstorm when I looked up and noticed this bird in a tree right beside me. It was quite cooperative and didn't leave until after the storm had started. Patches of the bg are a bit bright, but it's what I had to work with and overall I'm pleased with the results.

1DIV, 300mm f4 + 1.4 TC, black widow on RRS legs, f6.3, 1/60, iso 1250, cropped to 6.8 MP from horizontal, normal processing in CS5 with noise reduction using Neat Image. Taken March 19th at 4:53 pm.

Your comments and criticisms are always appreciated.

Thanks for looking,

Comments

17 comments

Comment posted by Tonia Graves on March 31, 2012 at 3:44 PM

The background bright spots aren't all that bad and you had a nice window of foliage to frame the owl with. Good work!

Registered on October 29, 2011, 92 Posts, 1035 Comments

Comment posted by Charles Gangas on March 31, 2012 at 4:03 PM

I'd be delighted with this image Dennis- the detail is excellent, and at 1/60s! You did real well here!

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

Comment posted by SandyRichardsBrown on March 31, 2012 at 5:06 PM

Looks fine to me - but too bad you couldn't get him to look your way for a second.
Nice detail, habitat, and an example of their great camoflage.,
Sandy

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

Comment posted by Richard Ditch on March 31, 2012 at 5:44 PM

Very nice and quite natural as posted. Te background is fine for my tastes.

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

Comment posted by KC Choo on March 31, 2012 at 7:42 PM

The only "improvement" would be that you had eye contact - otherwise, it's excellent! I am sure you have!

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

Comment posted by Ray Whitt on March 31, 2012 at 8:52 PM

Love the intense stare, nice catch.

Ray

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

Comment posted by Barbara Graham on March 31, 2012 at 10:50 PM

I think the background is fine, not too bright at all, and the detail is wonderful.

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

Comment posted by Richard Teller on March 31, 2012 at 11:27 PM

I like the image. the focus and detail are very good. The environment the owl is in shows the camouflage of the bird. Very nice image.

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

Comment posted by Ken Archer on April 1, 2012 at 4:48 AM

Nice find Dennis, a beauty with excellent detail

No nits here.

Ken Archer

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

Comment posted by Simon Bennett on April 1, 2012 at 5:05 AM

Lovely owl and setting.

Registered on February 4, 2007, 350 Posts, 4614 Comments

Comment posted by Sally Wood on April 1, 2012 at 11:22 AM

Boy he, sure fits in with that tree doesn't he.. nice image with the greenery around... love it!

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

Comment posted by Sharon Hallowell on April 1, 2012 at 11:26 AM

A fine image and I like that he's not looking right at you. Framed nicely with greenery. Sharon

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

Comment posted by May Haga on April 1, 2012 at 3:58 PM

I would be thrilled with this image Dennis. Wonderful find, and excellent image to boot.
May

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

Comment posted by Jim Hackley on April 2, 2012 at 1:19 PM

Always nice to find a cooperative owl, nice job for 1/60 sec and like the composition, well done.

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

Comment posted by William Bickle on April 2, 2012 at 4:43 PM

Hello Dennis

Great to get this Surprise ! Those Eyes are Very Expressive! & a Steady hand at the 1/60 . Great job.

TFS

Bill

Registered on June 13, 2011, 183 Posts, 1702 Comments

Comment posted by Matt Shellenberg on April 2, 2012 at 8:19 PM

Congrats capturing one of these elusive little ones, Dennis. The background looks just fine to me. Nice detail and a nice look at the eyes in daylight. Great job.

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

Comment posted by Gary Gulash on April 2, 2012 at 11:03 PM

Wonderful image quality. Love the expression of the owl. I really like the texture of the bark and how the owl blends into those textures and colors. I don't find the background areas overly bright at all. Nice find Dennis!!!

Registered on January 28, 2005, 879 Posts, 12098 Comments