For two nights prior to making this photo, I noticed eyes sparkling as I walked my dog long after dark but saw nothing during the daytime. Then after returning home from a few errands I noticed this owl posing for me about an hour before sunset. I rushed into the house and grabbed the camera to take advantage of this lucky opportunity to capture an owl in good light. This location (40 foot high above a creek on the backside of my home lot) was where a Raccoon Family resided a couple of years ago and I was able to get several photos of the mother and kids as they peered out. I was hoping the owl would build a nest here but as of today it has not occurred for in fact it looks like a squirrel family has moved in. Fujifilm XT5, 100-400mm lens at 400mm (600mm full frame), f5.6, 1/60 second, ISO 1000, Handheld. Processed in LR with basic sliders plus a bit of Denoise via Topaz.
7 comments posted
Cindy Marple
I love the composition with the owl peering out of the bottom of the hole. The amount of tree framing the hole is good, it feels balanced overall. I like that you've left it on the darkish side overall, fitting for an owl to be in somewhat dim light. The one thing I would try is warming up the white balance to minimize the blue cast to the owl. Of course we equate that blue tone with dim light and cold, so it's a matter of taste in the end. Posted: 12/11/2024 23:56:22
Steve Cole
Cindy ... I have warmed it a bit as you suggested and I like it too. Which one will I use for Birds Notecards ... still undecided. Posted: 12/16/2024 19:03:22
Cindy Marple
Oh I like this a lot! Thanks for posting it. Posted: 12/17/2024 02:51:48
Jerry Biddlecom
I agree with Cindy about the blue cast. This perhaps could be because of some reflection from a blue sky falling on the dark(ish) tree, but at an hour before sunset I don't know how blue the sky would be. You mention sparkling eyes so maybe the eyes in this case could be made to appear more vivid. I keep going back and forth as to whether or not there is too much negative space with that hole in the tree trunk. Good pose, however. Posted: 12/15/2024 15:24:45
Steve Cole
Jerry ... Thanks for your comments ... I did attached a bit warmer version in my reply to Cindy. I like it as a square too ... which would eliminate the some of the dark hole but then again showing the whole hole gives me a more sense of place. Posted: 12/16/2024 19:07:35
Adrian Binney
Steve - I agree that to my eye, you have left the image looking natural in twilight - it would be easy to lighten it to give more detail and eye colour, but this feels very natural. You have shown the complete hole and that makes sense - it would also look well as a square, loosing the top 1/2 of the hole. Very nice and you are so lucky to have wonderful wildlife within walking distance (as well as in your garden). Posted: 12/15/2024 18:03:22
Steve Cole
Adrian ... Thanks for your comments. I too like a square for these type of portraits but I just thought showing more gave more of a sense of place/location. Note I will provide a more warmer version in my responses to Cindy. Posted: 12/16/2024 19:00:47
