Great Horned Owl Feedback? - DPChallenge Forums

Sony 16-50mm f/3.5-5.6 E-mount

01/15/2004 08:48:32 PM · #1

My Great Horned Owl entry in the December Free Study finished in the mid-fives, and I received many constructive comments that I should have blurred the background, or used a shallower DOF. Anyway, I gave it a go in PS. The blurring was difficult and could be more consistent. I start eight, two hour sessions of PS next month. The community education office was offering the class for $125. I'd be grateful for some more feedback. The photos were taken at about 40 yards, free hand, with a 10X zoom.

Challenge Entry

2nd Attempt

Here are two more pics as he flew past me and then alit in a eucalyptus tree.

jmsetzler

Sony Alpha a6000

01/15/2004 09:05:42 PM · #2

Scrum, this is a gorgeous bird :) I would consider myself so lucky to encounter one of these in the wild. Since they are nocturnal, it's unusual to see them during the day.

Cam

Sony DSC-F717

01/15/2004 09:17:34 PM · #3

I thought it was outstanding.
DOF and Being to busy are being sorta picky when coming across a bird like that.
Not a slam on any of the comments, because they have warrent, but its just not every day (probably never) you find a shot like that. I dont think people realized that.
Oh...and the edited one does look a bit better. Does enhance the bird.

Message edited by author 2004-01-15 21:20:16.

Sigma 18-50mm f/3.5-5.6 DC for Nikon

01/15/2004 09:20:27 PM · #4

I heard one in camp this past weekend, but couldn't find him. We were way back in some tall dark pines. It probably wouldn't have mattered, because my fingers were frozen (10 degrees). I'm surprized I saw the one in Arizona since he blended in so well. I had to verify with binoculars before grabbing the camera and going after the shot.

michaeltienzo

Canon PowerShot A510

01/15/2004 11:50:14 PM · #5

i hope this isn't way off the topic, but did you use a tripod, or you got the shot by free hand?

Tamron AF 28-80mm f/3.5-5.6 Aspherical for Nikon

01/16/2004 04:17:21 AM · #6

Originally posted by michaeltienzo:

i hope this isn't way off the topic, but did you use a tripod, or you got the shot by free hand?

It was free hand, and this was the best of about 20 shots. I also shot in Sport Mode to reduce the blur from camera movement. If I'd brought a tripod I probably wouldn't of been able to use it. Too many cactus and cresote plants under foot.

vtruan

Nikon D5100

01/16/2004 06:58:54 AM · #7

Hey Scrum,

I see nothing wrong with the shot. The only thing I might have done was to crop it verticle to remove the branch on the right that leads the eye off the shot. Van

Trinch

Canon EOS-40D

Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS

01/16/2004 11:16:30 AM · #8

Your second attempt looks much better. Blurring the background really helps in making the owl stand out. Also, in the challenge entry, the brush on the right side takes away focus from the bird. Cropping it out added much.

Beautiful shots.

C-Fox

Canon EOS-20D

Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM

01/16/2004 12:30:31 PM · #9

Originally posted by jmsetzler:

Scrum, this is a gorgeous bird :) I would consider myself so lucky to encounter one of these in the wild. Since they are nocturnal, it's unusual to see them during the day.

Actually great horned are not exactly nocturnal, you can tell with owls by the color of their eyes. Those with dark colored eye hunt at night, those with light colored eyes are day hunters. (at least some of the time). I love taken owl pictures, they have so much character to them, and it is amazing what knowledge can eventually seap in when taking photographs.

:hug Setz

Message edited by author 2004-01-16 12:33:30.

vtruan

Nikon D5100

Tamron AF 28-80mm f/3.5-5.6 Aspherical for Nikon

01/16/2004 01:04:01 PM · #10

Hey C-fox,

Not exactly true. There are only 3 species of owl in North America with dark eyes (Barred, Spotted, and Flammulated) The other 12 or so species have yellow eyes. Most are primarily active in night, but do hunt during days especially when feeding young or early/late afternoon/morning. I've seen Barred and Great Horned Owls many times with mice/snakes in daylight. Owls, like most predators, are opportunists and kill when the see available prey and the have adapted to both day and night vision and hearing.

Scrum's Great Horned could be a male near a nesting female. Great Horned Owls nest in late January or early February and males roost in large trees near the nest. Van