Head-on flight shots of owls have often been baited. This bird most assuredly was not.
1/3200, f/6.3, ISO 800, Canon 7D Mark II, Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS II USM + 1.4 tc, not baited, set up or called in
I photographed this owl recently at Bear River MBR. It was hunting near the road in front of me so I pulled over and angled my pickup for a lucky shot or two just in case it came my way. I really didn’t expect that to happen but the owl surprised me as it did a slow but complete 180 degree turn and came right back at me.
1/3200, f/6.3, ISO 800, Canon 7D Mark II, Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS II USM + 1.4 tc, not baited, set up or called in
I was able to get an entire series of shots as it did so. The bird was somewhat side-lit so the left eye was always shaded and many shots had no catch light in either eye but in this series of three consecutive images in a burst the owl looked up slightly which gave me light in its right eye.
1/4000, f/6.3, ISO 800, Canon 7D Mark II, Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS II USM + 1.4 tc, not baited, set up or called in
I was quite pleased with this series for a variety of reasons that include a background that is more interesting than plain blue (or white) sky and the wing positions that include wings-horizontal, wings-down and wings-up.
I rotated the last two of these images to make the owl level in flight (as I believe it really was) but in the first shot I didn’t have enough room on one of the sides of the frame to rotate without adding canvas so I chose too present the bird at a slight angle. In the excitement of the moment I really don’t know if my camera was level when I took these shots or not. That often happens when I’m shooting from my pickup (as I nearly always do).
Ron
Ron, once again I had A great start to my morning thanks to you and your wonderful photography.
You mentioned adding canvas so I am guessing you use some kind of photo editing software and you probably said what it was before. But I will ask anyway, what is your preferred photo editing software?
Thank you, David.
I use Photoshop for all of my editing.
So intense. Fabulous shares. 😀
Thanks, Arwen.
Beautiful Images Ron. What a great way to cross into the New Year! They are all great. I like the middle one the best due to the catch light in the eye. Happy New Year to you 🙂
Thanks, Ed. I like that one best too but for a different reason – the better look at the depth of the wings. Happy New Year!
I just love this series of my favorite raptor of all. What a great way to end the year, Ron. May you have a wonderful and prosperous 2016!
Thank you, Kathryn. And your comment was a great way to end my year too.
A beautiful 3-fer!!! You deserved that one—many episodes of frozen butt, frozen fingers, frozen nose and frustration syndrome made you eligible for being so “lucky”…”luck is when preparation LIBERALLY LACED WITH PATIENCE AND DETERMINATION , spiced with great gear, meet opportunity”…..HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!
Thanks, Patty. Now I want you to show a little moderation tonight. Let there be no hangover tomorrow!!!
Happy New Year Ron. I hope it is bird, love, laughter and health filled – for you and all those who are dear to you.
What a nice New Year’s wish, EC. Thank you.
Happy New Year, Ellie Baby!
And to you Patty. Ron’s posts wouldn’t be the same without you. And so many of the other commentators who enrich my world and make me laugh.
Ron I don’t know if you would consider it cheating, but it is very easy to add a sparkle to a subject’s eye. It certainly cannot be much different than cropping an image, adjusting brightness/contrast, or removing a piece of garbage from an image etc. I have no problem with improving an image where I can unless I am going to enter the photo in a contest.
I have experimented with different colors to highlight the subject’s eye depending on light conditions. I also utilize the smudge tool to soften the highlight in indirect light.
John, that’s something I just don’t feel right doing so I don’t. Occasionally I’ll brighten an indistinct catch light that’s already there but I don’t add catch lights that are nonexistent to begin with.
I remember playing around with adding catch lights a few years ago but often it looked fake – not because the added catch light wasn’t well done but because it didn’t look like there should be light in the eye in the first place, given the lighting conditions at the time.
Would shots Ron! Happy New Year to you and yours! May your daughter have a full recovery!
Thanks very much, Charlotte.
Great series, Ron.
Luck is when preparation meets opportunity and you sir, are very lucky.
Wishing you and yours the best in 2016.
Neil
“Luck is when preparation meets opportunity”
That’s very true in most cases, Neil. Thank you.
Happy New Year and great photography outings for the coming year. Anticipating what my first bird of the new year will be and our annual new years day hike.
“Anticipating what my first bird of the new year will be”
Jo, that’s something I normally pay no attention to since I’m not a “birder” but after your comment I’m betting I will this year.
Nice knowing you’re out there today taking more photos. I love this sequence. Happy and healthy new year to you!
It was enjoyable out there this morning, Alison – blue skies, snow on the ground, very cold and even a few birds!
Hi Ron! You know I love all the Owls? This is my 2nd favorite! I love those little Burrowing ones first! I had never seen one until 2012 When I was out to Utah on a visit! Beautiful photo’s! Great shots you are getting! Keep up your great shooting! Have a happy New Years Eve day! And a wonderful 2016 Sybill
I remember showing you the island and the owls that morning, Sybill. Sure glad you got to see them.
Beautiful series! From what you said the other day about how deep set the eyes of Barn Owls are, getting catch lights is a major accomplishment. It’s nice that this bird choose to come toward you instead of just flying off the way they usually do (I’m sure they do that to frustrate you…)
“getting catch lights is a major accomplishment”
It sure is with these birds, Susan. Another reason for shooting early in the morning when the sun’s very low.
Happy New Year, Rocky!
OH WOW! Looks like you were being considered for dinner–I know that’s not true, however. What outrageously splendid shots! Again, WOW!!
Thanks very much, Laura.
Great shots Ron, very well done!!
I wish you and yours a healthy, wonderful New Year with tons of great wildlife shots.
Besides fantastic bird shots – Hopefully an Ermine.
I looked extra hard for one of those weasels this morning, just for you, Dick. Struck out…
Ah, there is always next time, Ron.
Happy Mew Year, Dick!
Happy Mew Year to you Patty!!
Beautiful!
🙂
WOW! 🙂 Wonderful sequence – even getting some catch light in one eye 🙂 Great when critters cooperate:)
“Great when critters cooperate”
It sure is, Judy, though it doesn’t happen often enough. On the other hand, if it did this bird photography thing would be easy and not as much fun.
Thanks for sharing yourself and your beautiful images Ron! Happy New Year to you and to your daughter Shannon and her family!
Thank you for the kind wishes, Nancy.
Killer shots. I would be interested in knowing what Auto Focus Case settings you were using with the 7D2 and if you change the case settings depending on the situation?
Happy New Year.
Richard, I was using Case 3 for these shots. I don’t change the Case setting very often. Happy New Year to you also.
Many wishes for a great 2016 coming your way, Ron!! Thank you for a wonderful year of our wildlife through your breathtakingly beautiful captures. Don’t ask me to pick a favorite – I’ve loved them all and So appreciate the wildlife education I’ve gained from you!! Hope today’s trip to the wilderness brings lots of new great captures.
Thanks, Jo Ann. Yup, I think I’ll be going out again this morning. It looks like we’re actually going to have some light for a while. Maybe…
Awesome captures of the Barn owl!
Thank you, Eileen.