Sometimes I’m OK with a little clutter in my images, especially when the main subject is as cute as this one.
1/5000, f/6.3, ISO 400, 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 fairly recently fledged juvenile Burrowing Owl early last month in Box Elder County. With all the twigs surrounding and even in front of the bird I’m a little surprised I like the image as well as I do. But because I usually photograph this species at the entrance to their relatively unattractive burrows or perched on fence posts I appreciate the natural perch despite its flaws.
The inexperienced little owl was obviously flustered because the tip of its left wing was hung up in some of the twigs.
One of the siblings of this bird had an apparent eye infection. Its right eye had thick, visible secretions in it and the eye was kept closed much of the time, though it apparently could see with that eye when it opened. I’ll spare you the clinical images of that bird but this perch with its obvious hazards to the vulnerable eyes of young, inexperienced owls made me wonder if attempting to land in a bush like this was the reason for the apparent injury.
It’s a tough life out there for young birds as they’re learning the ropes.
Ron
A real cutie, Ron. thanks for posting this.
It’s more an environmental portrait, giving a little context to how and where they live. Nice image. The eyes of owls like these really can draw you in. Good stuff!
Cuter than any button I have ever seen. Or will ever see.
And yes, their lives are not easy.
Lovely image Ron. I like the twigs and background, since I am getting tired of seeing the usual photos of Burrowing Owls with their heads sticking out their burrows and their voice bubbles saying “Gee, photographer… leave me alone, everyone else already has photos of us in this pose” :-).
Thank you for all the kind comments, everyone. I’ve been out attempting to find birds all morning and just got home. It was very slow out there – hopefully migrants will soon begin to show up in good numbers.
I LOVE the background–a LOT, for several reasons. But at the top of the list is that it’s a normal and natural background, despite it’s busy-ness in the human eye 😉
Life is not easy in The Great Out There. We humans tend to romanticize it, but there are huge downsides (as well as the obvious upsides). Life, in general, is a compromise between the good and the bad, the yin and yang. And that’s far too much philosophizing this morning when I should be cleaning up bird doo-doo and the roommate’s cat just vomited on the couch (I cleaned that up).
The twigs don’t take away from the image at all. I feel concern for the bird with the injured/infected eye, because on the one occasion I’ve seen a young bird with that problem, it didn’t survive (the bird was a Canada Goose). So I hope this one heals. When I look at the photo, the expression on the Owl’s face looks like it’s trying to pretend there is no problem with its wing…
I like the twiggy effect aestheically, but worry about its potentential to injure…looks as appealing as a perch as a spikey cast iron fence would be to us…I hope that other poor bird’s eye heals, completely and soon…life is so full of hazards for them, especially the young…
There is a sense of sthe elf-importance of youth in this creature’s posture. I like it.
Very nice despite the “clutter” I think the shades of browns, and creams make a lovely photo with the contrast of the bright yellow eye.
Thank you for the great image. I hope his sibling’s eye heals.
Great shot Ron. I really like this setting and its natural look, I’d take it any time over fences or posts!
I am glad that you did not cull this image because it is a very good one in spite of the twigs.
I would be terrified if I ever had to land on a place like that…
A though life indeed.
So what’s not to like… It’s a wild bird in it’s natural habitat…
Isn’t that what a lot of true “nature photography” is all about?
Twigs don’t detract, Ron. Cute little critter! 🙂
Wonderful image, and I like all the twigs.
Thanks for sharing.
Thank you, Dick.