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Swoop
3rd PlaceSwoop
Magnumphotography


Photograph Information Photographer's Comments
Challenge: Free Study 2013-02 (Advanced Editing VII)
Camera: Canon EOS-5D Mark III
Lens: Canon EF 500mm f/4.0L IS USM
Location: Kanta Area
Date: Feb 24, 2013
Aperture: 5.6
ISO: 1600
Shutter: 1/4000
Date Uploaded: Feb 25, 2013

 I was driving home from Snaffles, when I saw a red tail. I exited the highway and turned around. Time waster, as he was gone. I noticed lots of crows though. Seemed a quarry and dump, was the attractant. So I found an adjacent road and shot a bit. Nothing great here, so I decided to head home.

On a lark, I decided to check a near by spot for Snowies. It was not the usual time to see them. As it was a little too early in the day. But I figured why not.

So I drove the road and scanned the fields. When I got to the hydro lines crossing the road, I stopped the car. Grabbed the 500 +1.4tc and scanned again. I could barely make something out, so I took a shot. Way out on a pole, she was there.

I started walking across the fields. It seemed to take forever though. Looking back at my shutter times, it took me 20 minutes. Luckily the snow was fairly hard. Still tiring, but such an exciting walk.

Arriving I set up my tripod and began shooting. She was aware of me, but not bothered by my presence. After 10 minutes, she flew a few poles down. I packed up and followed. This seemed to be her pattern. Giving great flight shots, if you were ready.

Unfortunately the light was low and somewhat flat this day. So no deep, blue background. Still I am very happy with the shot.

Next time....

Statistics
Place: 3 out of 205
Avg (all users): 6.8269
Avg (commenters): 8.0000
Avg (participants): 6.6944
Avg (non-participants): 7.1250
Views since voting: 2519
Views during voting: 208
Votes: 104
Comments: 35
Favorites: 4 (view)

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AuthorThread
 03/10/2013 09:06:27 PM
WHAT "Next Time"??! This is perfect!

Congrats on your FS ribbon!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 03/10/2013 12:51:49 PM
owl stalker! interesting presentation, almost looks like a manta ray or some such. nice going & congrats on the ribbon!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 03/09/2013 07:47:48 PM
This is an incredible shot. And what a great story of pursuit. Congrats.

And I'd love to understand the fricking genius who gave it a "1."
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 03/09/2013 04:36:59 PM
Great to see such effort rewarded. Congrats
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 03/08/2013 07:44:41 PM
Way to go Red!!!! That is one awesome shot... WOW
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 03/08/2013 06:25:21 PM
Knew this would be a high finisher. Great story too.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 03/08/2013 04:18:00 PM
Congrats on the ribbon Ryan. Beautiful shot.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 03/08/2013 11:43:21 AM
Gratz' on the ribbon trifecta with this great shot.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 03/08/2013 10:35:38 AM
High Fashion Owl! Well done, Ryan!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 03/08/2013 08:47:32 AM
Any chance a larger version is posted somewhere?
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 03/08/2013 08:14:11 AM
Woohooo! Congrats babe, now you have the full complement of ribbons :-) Great capture, so envious of this shot.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 03/08/2013 02:49:01 AM
Great shot Ryan! I followed this gal for sometime this winter but she never let me get close enough.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 03/08/2013 02:36:48 AM
Congrats on the deserved ribbon, the more i look at this shot, the more I like it (and envy you for your 500)
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 03/08/2013 02:01:56 AM
I can relate to the back story :) Thanks for that! WD on your FS Yellow Ryan. I had you pegged for another one though :P
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 03/08/2013 01:28:54 AM
You got a diva!! She was posing for you. A wonderful shot, and story.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 03/08/2013 12:37:08 AM
Congratulations. I love this shot - the white background is perfect. Your notes are very interesting.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 03/08/2013 12:13:42 AM
Very, very well done!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 03/08/2013 12:09:38 AM
great capture, congrats!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 Comments Made During the Challenge
03/07/2013 11:16:36 PM
Winter beauty. Coldly crisp whiteness.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 03/07/2013 10:32:42 PM
Wonderful image, not an easy capture plus the whites are just right.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 03/07/2013 03:59:16 PM
love this. great processing which takes nothing away from the magnificent photo
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 03/07/2013 01:19:30 AM
Beautiful capture. One of my top 5.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 03/05/2013 08:19:13 PM
These snowies are incredilble. Well done!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 03/04/2013 10:56:00 PM
I always admire a good in-flight capture and this is wonderful. Love that he is coming right at us and the way he fills the frame without feeling crowded. 10 Voted earlier.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 03/04/2013 09:08:30 PM
What a way to fill the frame. Magnificent creature
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 03/04/2013 06:38:53 PM
Wow, what an amazing use of high key.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 03/04/2013 11:43:38 AM
Incredible, my pick for the top 3!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 03/04/2013 03:54:24 AM
Wonderful top quality bif image. Great pose and composition, EV. Should do well.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 03/03/2013 10:38:52 PM
WOW! 10
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 03/02/2013 04:42:15 PM
Fine image of an adult female, or possbily a first year male, Snowy Owl, Bubo Scandiacus. Very good inflight capture.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 03/01/2013 11:46:52 PM
Outstanding shot...well done!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 03/01/2013 10:51:04 PM
wow, great detail.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 03/01/2013 02:48:09 PM
Wow, this would have been good for light on white.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 03/01/2013 03:45:50 AM
good catch
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 03/01/2013 12:39:11 AM
Oh dear I fear a really stunning light on white shot comming from you as well.... keeerap, I thought I had a really great shot, but I'd have to vote this over mine... Turd! LOL Oh yeah this is Beautiful!
  Photographer found comment helpful.


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