Burrowing Owls

Gallery: AvianPosted October 11, 2013772 views13 comments

These juveniles were practicing touch and go landings in the breeze from their favorite perch next to the burrow. One juvie has taken off while another is incoming. That bird can’t be seen but the evidence is in the shadow on the rock at lower right and the following gaze of two of its siblings on the rock.

The shadows on the rock may not appeal to some but for me they contribute to the behavior. I can't help but think these birds look like they're lined up for clearance from ground control before taking off...

7D, 1/3200, f/8, ISO 500, 500 f/4, 1.4 tc, shot from pickup window near the Golden Spike Monument on 8/11/13, cropped to 73% of original image, small exposure adjustment, sharpened birds and rock, no additional processing or adjustments, not set up, baited or called in

Larger version provided

Comments/critique appreciated

Comments

13 comments

Comment posted by jack jaeger jr on October 11, 2013 at 7:16 PM

Good shot Ron love it shadows and all !

Registered on April 2, 2012, 26 Posts, 355 Comments

Comment posted by Butch Lama on October 11, 2013 at 8:00 PM

AWE...zing image!!! There's so many things I like in this image. The expression on those two looking for the one coming for landing. Nice BG separation from your subject give a nice pop to the image. Adds a great depth in that rock with those colorful lichen and to top it up you have a nice sun flower too. Love the shadow too. Thank for sharing this...

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

Comment posted by Richard Ditch on October 11, 2013 at 9:01 PM

Nice grouping and repeating pattern.

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

Comment posted by Ken Archer on October 12, 2013 at 12:37 AM

Sweet Photo Ron

I really like the attentive poses of the youngsters looking up at who is causing that cool extra shadow. This photo has a great feel for the habitat, and a pleasing composition.

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

Comment posted by Hans Overduin on October 12, 2013 at 1:41 PM

I already have seen this one on your blog some months ago - just another great image from your hands.... I keep looking at it ! Great work ! Cheers, Hans

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

Comment posted by Sharon Hallowell on October 12, 2013 at 7:47 PM

So much to look at in this image....the birds lined up like this is just wonderful! I think they have a fabulous little airport in the making! Well captured! Sharon

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

Comment posted by John Jeevaratnam on October 12, 2013 at 9:29 PM

Awe, they are adorable. Nice capture and I like the eye positions.

Registered on July 29, 2013, 112 Posts, 229 Comments

Comment posted by Roger Leekam on October 13, 2013 at 9:01 AM

I think that this is an absolutely stunning image! Have never seen these in a group before, and the rock and BG add enormously. Image of the week at least.

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

Comment posted by John Launstein on October 13, 2013 at 3:27 PM

Ron - epic, stunning, mesmerizing, intriguing, and several other superlatives. Just a fantastic story-telling image exquisitely captured and presented. Two thumbs up and even a fist pump is in order.

If I can add one more compliment, this image is also very inspirational to me to keep getting out there and chasing such incredible moments...and be sharp enough to do the right things to make the most of it as you did here.

Registered on April 5, 2011, 223 Posts, 1193 Comments

Comment posted by Jefferson Silva on October 13, 2013 at 6:14 PM

Ron, I liked this a lot. Very nice you could get all of them in the same shot!

Registered on December 18, 2012, 162 Posts, 975 Comments

Comment posted by Rob Drummond on October 14, 2013 at 6:42 AM

Delightful shot Ron. Love the right hand bird looking at the out of image individual

Registered on November 8, 2003, 617 Posts, 8267 Comments

Comment posted by Dennis Plank on October 14, 2013 at 1:19 PM

A sweet grouping, Ron. I like the flow of the birds and the two looking at the incoming bird add a lot.

Registered on January 28, 2008, 1767 Posts, 23192 Comments

Comment posted by Robert Bunch on October 15, 2013 at 5:32 PM

Excellent shot. I like the way they are lined up waiting for take-off clearance. I've only seen one my entire life yet you got five in one shot.

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