I believe this first image may be only time I’ve ever managed a decent shot of an owl of any species during the landing process.
1/1600, f/7.1, ISO 320, Canon 7D Mark II, Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS II USM, not baited, set up or called in
I spent time with the bird just over a week ago at Farmington Bay WMA. It hunted from this sign post for quite a while and soon took off after prey it had spotted nearby (it missed the prey, presumably a vole). In anticipation of the bird (possibly) returning to the same perch I pre-focused on the post and hoped for the best. In this shot I caught the owl with its wings flared at the moment its feet touched the post.
Obviously the image has some issues. The bird was side-lit, the eye is in deep shade (no catch light) and the light is a little harsh. But I’ll keep and enjoy the photo for what it is – a landing owl with an interesting wing position at the moment of touch-down. An image doesn’t always have to be of the highest image quality for me to appreciate it on some level.
1/1600, f/7.1, ISO 320, Canon 7D Mark II, Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS II USM, not baited, set up or called in
Three minutes later another vehicle approached from the north and spooked the owl off the post and I was able to get this shot as the bird flew past me. I like the angled look at this huge wingspan, the dangling dark clump of feet and talons and for my tastes the background couldn’t be much better.
I do wish there was some light in the eye but I took 85+ shots of this bird while it was perched and in flight and got a catch light in very few of them (none of them while the bird was in flight). The deeply-set eyes of the species make doing so particularly difficult with this light angle.
Ron
Both shots are phenomenal Ron. The detail in the landing shot…those talons, wow! Thank you for sharing 🙂
Issues shmissues! ;). These are two phenomenal photos! That first short is a-ma-ZING!!! The stark white of the underside of the wings, tail and chest. The white reflection off the back of the sign and the white of the clouds in the background. Contrast these whites with the browns and tans on the owl, the shadow the owl casts on itself, the brown of the signpost, and that one piece of brush just beyond the owl. These factors alone make the picture quite tantalizing. Now, add in what the owl is actually doing…WOW!
The second photo is full-on Bernoulli-ville. You’ve perfectly caught the curvature on the anterior edges of the wings, showing the owl’s skill at generating lift. If I end up teaching physics or physical science again, I’ll be contacting you to work out permission for using that photograph with my students. 🙂
Always glad to help with education, Marty. Let me know…
Two incredible shots of a gorgeous bird…the first takes my breath away! Looks like an angel landing (not that I’ve ever seen one!). Who cares about a catch light…the light on the wing is so beautiful!!!
“Who cares about a catch light”
Ha, Leave it to you to put things in perspective, Patty! 🙂 Thank you.
You seem to be knocking down nemesis shots like bowling pins.
I am so impressed at that landing. And as always the agility.
And your photography.
Agreed, EC, a landing raptor is nearly always impressive. Thank you.
Great pictures !!!
I’ve got some Barn Owls around my house and I’m still hoping to get some good pictures of them.
I’m wondering about using Photoshop to put in the catch eye… maybe recover some of the detail on the bird’s left side of the face and then lighten up the right side to make it all look convincing. I know opinions on Photoshop are personal and vary with different photographers.
Thanks, Karl.
I’m afraid adding a catch light to the eye just isn’t my style. To me it seems no different than adding the missing parts of a clipped wing or swapping out the background for a more pleasing one. It just doesn’t seem honest…
Besides, a catch light in that deeply shaded eye would look out of place and unnatural.
Beautiful owl. You caught one of my favorite moments as the bird looks down and stretches out it’s legs to land.
Still trying to catch up on a weeks worth of your posts. My computer is on it’s last leg. I have to coax it on in short bursts. The bird beak virus is interesting. I have been following it for sometime. The topic of Beak deformities comes up at NWRA conferences frequently. One of my books I reread frequently is Avian Viruses Function and Control by Branson W. Ritchie DVM. It explains very clearly how viruses work. If you are interested in reading it I have seen it on line for sale as little as $6. Originally when it came out in 1995 it was a pricey textbook. It will not have the new Poecivirus virus but it has many others birds suffer with.
I know the feeling, April, as I’ve been nursing an ailing computer for some time now. No fun!
Sounds like a very helpful book for this kind of thing. Thanks for bringing it to my attention.
Fantastic photos, Ron! I love it when experience, skill and luck all come together. My brain is doing the happy dance again!
“I love it when experience, skill and luck all come together”
I wish that combination came about a little more often, Diane. But then again if it were easy it wouldn’t be so much fun!
That first shot–just exquisite—an angel with talons !
Thank you, Kris.
Ron: Thank you. An owl’s wings are so very beautiful! Such smooth, dense feathering. And unbelievably quiet.
“And unbelievably quiet”
Richard, we can even see some of the fringing on the ends of the primaries of that right wing that allows them to fly so silently.
The landing shot is amazing. Your timing couldn’t have been better. I agree that it’s better to have a catch-light, but both of these shots are wonderful even without that.
I thought so too, Susan – no image is perfect and these two are just missing one more element, though an important one.
What a thrill! It’s great to witness these special moments and I get a thrill of vicarious satisfaction at your success… 🙂
I’m glad you enjoyed the images, Alison. Thank you.
Great timing on the landing! Absolutely beautiful! I am always impressed with the talons these birds have, would not want to be on the receiving end of those!
Jeff, I got another landing shot that in some ways was even more interesting than this one. Sadly the image just wasn’t quite sharp enough.
Marvelous shots Ron!
Charlotte
Thank you, Charlotte.
A beautiful bird. I love the feet coming into the post. 😀
Thanks, Arwen.
Beautiful shots even without the catchlight in the eye.
I love that you caught the owl landing on the post just before it griped the post with its talons. Very interesting catch!
I like the timing of that shot too, Dick. Thanks.
Gorgeous! Simply gorgeous! 🙂 Good detail and the background couldn’t have been better. 🙂
Thank you, Judy.