Barred Owl Hunting

Image Critiques Avian Critiques
1

Barred Owl Hunting
Barred Owl Hunting3908×3710 1.78 MB

I watched this Barred Owl hunting last night and he/she finally came in close enough for a photo. I had to shoot between tree limbs and leaves to get the photo.
I think the brighter background gives the owl a bit of a spooky look. This was taken around 7PM with the sun getting low in the sky highlighting the background.

Specific Feedback Requested

Is there anything I can do to improve the image?

Technical Details

Is this a composite: No
Canon 90D
ISO 1600
F6.3
1/500 shutter
Sigma 150-600C @ 562mm
Taken from my car window with a bean bag support.
The background was darkened a bit and the owl was lightened just a bit and sharpened. Neat Image was used to clean up ISO noise.

2 Likes
2

Brian: I think this image has some great potential. I like the concept and I understand it was taken with the sun getting low in the sky.

I think the background overpowers the owl and would darken it more and at the same time add more light to the owl. I did a little adjustment and came up with this version.

See what you think.

Barred-Owl-7075-Close-copy
Barred-Owl-7075-Close-copy1500×1424 645 KB

3

A nice catch and a great job sneaking through the branches to get this, Brian. There’s an interesting difference between your post and Keith’s version. I actually like both of them, but they convey distinctly different feelings for me. If I were processing it blind, I think I’d probably end up somewhere between the two.

4

Thankyou Keith. I will definitely give it a try. This is how I learn.

5

Thank you Dennis. I will try Keith’s version and some where in between.

6

Definitely one of your best images. I really like the pose, perch, eye contact, and detail levels. I would be very pleased to have an image like this in my collection. Both the image that Keith revised in your own image are excellent. Good job!

7

Hi Brian
It is fun to watch a bird work in nature and then come in range for the photograph. Very cool look at this Barred Owl.
Peter

8

Thank you David. I have a lot to learn.

9

Thank you Peter. Watching the owl hunt made for an interesting night.

10

Wonderful to be able to catch this moment! I love the brown-against-gold, and the over the shoulder look right at you.

1 Like
11

Thank you Diane, given my situation I was lucky to get this photo. I was in my vehicle with an occasional car passing through and the owl did not stay very long.