I continue to make the occasional rookie mistake when photographing birds in the field but this time I still like the results.
1/2000, f/7.1, ISO 400, Canon 7D, Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II USM @ 400mm, not baited, set up or called in
Two weeks ago while I was photographing this fledgling Short-eared Owl perched on tumbleweeds next to a road in northern Utah the cute little feller began to perform a slow and languishing wing stretch. I was shooting with my zoom lens so as the wings began to creep near the edge of the frame all I had to do was zoom back a little to keep from clipping them.
But dammit, I forgot which lens I was using! Most of my shooting is with my 500mm prime lens which of course has no zoom capability and my “muscle memory” apparently thought that was the lens I was using so I made no attempt at zooming back and barely clipped the wings in all of the photos with the wings fully extended.
I still enjoy the image but I’d have liked it better if I hadn’t clipped the wing tip.
1/2000, f/7.1, ISO 400, Canon 7D, Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II USM @ 400mm, not baited, set up or called in
But as the youngster pulled its wings back in it raised its head a little and gave me direct eye contact and as a result I like this image better anyway. And even though the setting’s a little busy I like the contrast between the lushness of the green vegetation in the background and the dead tumbleweed perch in the foreground.
I’m still slightly aghast that I forgot which lens I was using. Usually my “creature of habit” tendencies serve me well as a photographer but this time they bit me in the butt.
Ron
Oooh and ahhh. Sometimes accused of being too picky? Only sometimes? You are often way too hard on yourself. And the drive to improve gives you, and us some wonderful images.
Love this series, clipped wings and all.
Thank you, EC.
Superb photographs of a wonderful subject!
There was no “rookie mistake”. It’s called “creative composition” (after the fact, naturally). And at least you have muscles to which a memory can be ascribed. Some of us do not …….
Great post, Ron!
Ha, “creative composition”, huh? Ok, I’ll take it, Wally!
Rookie mistakes are forgiven, the photos are beautiful. We finally made it out but were not able to go to all our destinations thanks to a a flat tire that would not come off. We had to get a tow from Promontory Point to Brigham City. We still had a fantastic day, Burrowing owls and fledglings, Short-eared owls, Red tails with rabbit in foot. Swainsons and Turkey Vultures. Our tow truck driver from Brigham had not ever heard of a Burrowing owls or a Short ear owls. Hard to get the locals to protect what they don’t understand. Education is really needed in these sensitive areas.
Sounds like you had an adventure out there, April. It makes me mad when someone who has worked on my vehicle has tightened the lug nuts so darned tight that Superman couldn’t get them off. Bet that’s happened to you. Getting a tow from Promontory doesn’t sound like fun. Doesn’t sound cheap either.
I love these owls so always enjoy photos of them, clipped or unclipped. I especially like the second…for several reasons, one of which is its fluffy-looking backside and ” britches”….
I agree about the appeal of those fluffy feathers back there, Patty. Thank you.
I am so glad that I have another in the bird britches fan club.
I figured you might be upset because she beat you too it, EC ! 🙂
Not upset at all. Glad to spread the love.
Sorry for the duplicate comment. When I looked through the comments mine wasn’t there!
Love the second shot but I like the feather detail in the first. In the first it looks to me like the bird is trying to get itself unstuck from its perch. This is clearly a bird with a great personality and a very expressive face.
Beautiful as always Ron. I would have never noticed the wing-clip in the first pic if you didn’t mention it. The 1% doesn’t take away from the 99% of awesomeness in the first shot.
Zaphir, It may be that I’m hypersensitive to clipped wings because I spent so many years actively involved in a nature photography critique forum and that was one of the things they were typically critical of. Perhaps it’s a lesson I learned too well…
Love the second image, but like the feather detail in the first. In the first image it almost looks to me from the bird’s facial expression like it has gotten its feet caught and can’t get away. Also love the way the bird’s personality shows in both shots.
That’s one of the reasons I like poses like this, Susan – they somehow seem to show what I think of as personality.
I just enjoyed them both. Those eyes….!!!
Thanks, Carol.
I like the 2nd image too. Beautiful Owl. Welcome to the “getting older club” hehe
I’ve been a card-carrying member of that club for years now, Jean. I wonder if we have an option to resign…
But then when I think about it if we’re no longer getting older we’re on the wrong side of the dirt (as Laura would say). My dad always used to say that “getting older sure as hell beats the alternative” and I’d have to agree.
LOL! In addition to the outrageously terrific shots (yes, both of them!), it made me giggle that I’m not alone in this remembery thing! Sometimes I fantasize about installing a string start (like a lawn mower) in one of my ears since I have one of those mechanical hand-crank memories instead of one of the newer digital jobs…LOL! And that muscle memory ONLY works MOST of the time.
I just love the images (as usual). The feather detail, the background and the inevitable intensity in their eyes just knocks me out!
Here’s a little tidbit just in case you’re ever on Who Wants to be a Millionaire. That stretch, both wings over the back, is called a warble in arcane falconry language. The one-leg, one-wing stretch is called a mantle. THERE! I’ve made it possible for you to win a million 🙂
Ha, I enjoyed your “hand-crank” memory comment, Laura. Obviously I have some of the same symptoms.
And when I win that million you’ll get a (very small) cut… 🙂
I just loved that second shot—the owl seems full of “confrontational/surprised” personality, but also the grass seed heads add a surprisingly beautiful element
of color and grace as they echo the size and form of the uplifted flight feathers–you’ve DONE IT AGAIN !
I really like those grass heads back there too, Kris. They’re wispy and soft and I enjoy the subtle mixture of greens and golds.
Love the Shorties! And love that I get to bird the West every morning over breakfast. Thanks again, Ron!
They’re hard not to love, aren’t they, Diana – especially the youngsters…
Great pictures clipped wings or not! Really shows the personality of the owl. 🙂 Picky is fine, BUT! Sometimes other factors over ride that. 🙂 One does get on auto pilot when concentrating on something. 🙂 If we were perfect there would be nothing to strive for. 🙂
“One does get on auto pilot when concentrating on something”
That’s a good way to put it, Judy. Wish I’d thought of it when I was composing my text.
Clipped or not they are beautiful images of a stunning bird. Those eyes!! I’m with you on like the second image better though – the direct eye contact is great and the wing position is nicer. I really enjoy seeing your photos and reading your thoughts on them.
“I really enjoy seeing your photos and reading your thoughts on them”
Sande, sometimes I’m (gently) accused of being too picky about the flaws in my images but we all have our opinions, taste tendencies and personal limits to imperfection and I always appreciate getting feedback about what others think about such things, especially when it comes to my own images. Thanks for your thoughts on this.