Generally I prefer warm light on my subjects but you don’t have that option when it’s cloudy. Occasionally I like the results anyway.
1/2500, f/5.6, ISO 800, Canon 7D Mark II, Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS II USM, not baited, set up or called in
This Short-eared Owl photographed six days ago in Northern Utah is a case in point. Fast moving clouds were giving me rapidly changing lighting conditions but this bird was in shade the entire time it was on this perch. Despite the fact that I despise the nasty effects barbed wire can occasionally have on wildlife I do like rustic settings and in the places I shoot those settings often include barbed wire. And I’m fine with that if the wire is old and rusty. With very few exceptions I really don’t like shiny metal in my images.
This photo appeals to me largely because of the rustic setting. The combination of an old, gnarly fence post, rusty wire and tumbleweeds blown up against the fence reminds me of my time growing up on the Montana family farm. The beautiful owl in a stately, rather aloof pose sets off the image perfectly for my tastes.
1/2500, f/5.6, ISO 800, Canon 7D Mark II, Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS II USM, not baited, set up or called in
Here I like the texture provided by the fluffed up feathers. When this bird roused I figured it might take off soon and it did.
1/3200, f/5.6, ISO 800, Canon 7D Mark II, Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS II USM, not baited, set up or called in
This horizontal position of the left wing isn’t generally preferred by bird photographers but I’m including the image because of the look at that wing in “cross-section”. I find the curve of the wing interesting because it illustrates the air-scooping capability of the wing on the down stroke. I seldom see a wing in this position from this angle that is sharp.
Sometime soon I’ll post more images of Short-eared Owls in warmer light from that morning but I thought these photos were an interesting change of pace.
Ron
Note: A few days ago Feathered Photography reached a milestone – one million total views. I remember the early days when I was happy to see any viewers at all in my blog stats so this benchmark caught my attention. Many thanks to all my viewers for your support!
Love stopping by your blog! I miss seeing you on the “Birding in Utah” group! I am not sure what happened, and never asked anyone because I don’t think it matters (it is after all just social media), but I just wanted to say that I find your passion and photography so inspiring– all of which started with the Facebook group. I love that you post your settings, it has helped me so much as an extreme novice that just got my first DSLR.
Hope all is well!
I’m not sure what happened on that FB group either. At this point it’s water under the bridge.
Congrats on your new camera!
Congratulation Ron…well deserved on the 1 million mark. Not surprised at all. You owls are outstanding as are all of the rest of your photos. Perhaps I have a soft spot for your owls. Warm/Cool light…all are equally tack sharp and spot on.
Say…being that you shoot from your truck mostly, I’d be interested in seeing how you do this. Sand-bag set up I would guess. I’d like to know what equipment you use and what tips you have for those of us that use our vehicles as blinds (vehicle on/off, seat-belt on/off, window height, body position when shooting through a window…that sort of stuff).
That’s a good idea for a possible blog post, Zaphir. I’ll see if I can work one up on the subject soon. Thank you.
Beautiful!!!
These are among my favorites of yours! I just love these images–the bird, setting, light, atmosphere. Thanks!
Thank you, Linda.
I am surprised you didn’t join the million club some time ago. I visit and revisit and know that others do the same.
And the cool light is a truly elegant backdrop for this equally elegant bird.
It’s taken me a while, EC. I hope you continue to visit often.
Cannot get enough of your owl images – warm light or cool. Awesome, truly awesome!
Congratulations on the viewers – very well deserved. While I rarely comment, I am always checking and reading your blogs. If I have a busy week and emails back up, yours is one I always preserve for later when I can take the time to absorb and enjoy. That time is always rewarding and pleasurable.
What a nice thing to say, Gary. Much appreciated.
Congratulations. Your work is beautiful and the writing always informative. The numbers are an example of how good your work is. I have shown your work to many of my friends and frequently our conversations include a tribute to one of your posts.
That’s very nice to know, April.
I hope you’re looking forward to the end of the school year when you’ll presumably have more opportunity to get “out there” more often.
Congratulatíons, Ron. The fine quality of your photographs combined with your lucid text make your daily post a pleasurable morning treat.
Nice to know that I contribute positively to your morning experience, Ricardo. Thank you.
Congratulations on the 1 million views, Ron. I think all of us that comment here are not too surprised by that number because your photos are really good and attended by equally good and instructive writing. Love the photos above. I definitely love warm light too, but sometimes it just doesn’t happen and despite that I keep on shooting anyway because you never knows what you might capture on any given day.
That’s right, Dave – you just never know. In my experience and with my tastes I can count on getting more shots I like in better, warmer light but sometimes unexpected magic can happen in almost any kind of light.
One million!!! Great big congratulations, Ron!! As I have said before, your blog is one in a million. I love the superb photos as well as the commentary!
Great big thanks, Jane. Keep in mind that it’s taken me a few years to get to that number but I’m still happy to have eventually reached it.
One million! WOW,
Great images Ron! Congratulations on the 1,000,001 views. Thanks for your blog, I love checking it out each day, it is the most important part of my mornings.
I’m delighted to hear that coming from you, Ed – excellent nature photographer that you are.
Beautiful pictures – the rustic post/wire/tumbleweed and coloring of the owl blend beautifully with the cloudy background. The aerodynamics of the wing are awesome! Congrats on a million views!
I’m glad you like them, Judy. Actually that background is grasslands but in this light I can sure see how it could be mistaken for clouds.
Stunningly beautiful!
Thanks, Pat.
Congratulations on a Million views, what an amazing accomplishment. Second I love your writing, it is very straight forward and honest. And finally, great owl pictures under less than perfect conditions.
Ken
“Second I love your writing, it is very straight forward and honest”
Ken, that honesty thing is one of the keys for me to enjoy doing this. I absolutely hate getting caught saying anything that isn’t true to the best of my knowledge. I never do it deliberately but I’ve learned to be very careful about making claims that I’m not sure of.
Wonderful shots Ron! Thanks for sharing!
Thank you, Charlotte.
I couldn’t agree more with Judy…well said! Yor comments are always informative, direct, honest and spiced with humor and empathy…just right ! These are beautiful images of a very beautiful bird…I especially like the silver tones–of the background, vegetation and the snowy white outlining of the bird’s face, wings and tail…The last image is especially interesting–with the twist of the right wing, the arching of both the left wing and tail…an unusual image…can almost feel the power of those downstrokes…
Thanks, Patty, on both counts – the images and my commentary.
Ron, you might say writing is a struggle for you but that is what I appreciate. You write your thoughts and the facts, clear and true to what you see without embellishment. Your words are an excellent backup to your superb photos.
So the struggle is worth it. Nice to know, Judy – thank you.
Congrats on 1 Million ! quite an accomplishment.
I like the legs/talons in that last take off shot too.
Thanks, Bill. I also like the look at the legs/talons and almost mentioned it in my text.
Congratulations on hitting a million, Ron. …or is that a million hitting you?
Only one reason I can think of for the success and that is that you are as good at writing and explaining as you are at shooting. Terrific combination for a great daily read.
Keep up the great work!
Thanks for the encouragement, Neil. And for the compliment on my writing. Writing is a struggle for me so your words are appreciated.
These are so lovely!
Thank you, Sharon – glad you like them.