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- FLIGHT of the HUNTER -
1st Place- FLIGHT of the HUNTER -
andrewt


Photograph Information Photographer's Comments
Challenge: Animals In Motion (Advanced Editing VII)
Camera: Nikon D3
Lens: Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 EX APO IF HSM for Nikon
Location: Jurong Bird Park Singapore
Date: Apr 25, 2009
Aperture: F2.8
ISO: 800
Shutter: 1/640s
Galleries: Action, Birds
Date Uploaded: Apr 23, 2009

Shot of a Malayan Fish Owl in flight. This is a really cool bird with a very loud vocal shriek. The bird was actually making a short flight towards his trainer. Captured at Singapore's Jurong Bird Park.

My first really successful (sharp) capture. Still not perfect, partly because of the obstructions in the foreground of the bird's flight path. As I pan these foregeound obstructions get in the way and screws up my autofocus. Oh! and this bird is really SILENT and fast!! I used a shutter speed of 1/640s and still can't freeze his wings. You need at least 1/1600s.

Hope you all like this !! , and yes the bird's eye is very yellow.


Andrew....23rd April 2009
--------------------------------------
Yowza !!! Thanks I am elated and deflated at the same time. Elated because the scoring really surprised me. I just did NOT expect this to do so well. It WAS above 8 all the way till the last 4 hours of voting.

Still , thanks a bunch. Now I can rest my update button.

Andrew....03rd May 2009

Statistics
Place: 1 out of 143
Avg (all users): 7.9503
Avg (commenters): 9.1600
Avg (participants): 7.7761
Avg (non-participants): 8.0526
Views since voting: 10297
Views during voting: 506
Votes: 181
Comments: 86
Favorites: 39 (view)


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AuthorThread
11/02/2009 09:28:48 PM
Holy cow! What a shot. Would love to see a 16x20 of this just so I could see his/her eyes in more detail.

Fantastic image.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
06/12/2009 07:45:22 PM
Wow, I can't stop looking at this shot. What an intense look on his face (very surprising that someone gave it a 2!).
  Photographer found comment helpful.
05/10/2009 05:16:10 PM
No Comment ( amazing )
  Photographer found comment helpful.
05/08/2009 06:26:24 PM
I VERY rarely comment on the photos, but WOW this is an excellent shot and a very deserved winner.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
05/07/2009 08:14:56 PM
this is awsome
  Photographer found comment helpful.
05/07/2009 01:01:01 PM
Great image. Focus on the owl and DOF is outstanding. Congrats.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
05/07/2009 12:21:11 AM
awesome timing...
  Photographer found comment helpful.
05/06/2009 11:26:34 AM
He look intense. This is an awsome shot. The eyes are beautiful. Did you use a tripod?
  Photographer found comment helpful.
05/06/2009 09:30:39 AM
Congrats on the blue! Great Shot! I had it ranked in my top group and was happy to see it get top honors. Way to go!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
05/06/2009 07:18:12 AM
Congratulations on your blue ribbon. Awesome photo. Jumps right out at you.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
05/06/2009 03:19:27 AM
Great capture! Congrats on the ribbon. I liked this shot when I saw it, I actually didnt think it would ribbon, only for the fact that it is a captive bird and being a long time bird in flight photographer it does take away from the degree of difficulty, That and the fact that head is oversharpened, which would lead me to believe that you were compensating for softness elswhere? Overall a very stunning capture here on DPChallenge, In the bird photography world above average...
  Photographer found comment helpful.
05/06/2009 01:33:01 AM
Hello Andrew, I love the eyes :)
  Photographer found comment helpful.
05/05/2009 11:03:38 AM
This is my first vote and I gave this pic my highest score. I feel proud...lol. What an awesome photo. Thanks for sharing.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
05/05/2009 04:24:38 AM
Perfect focus and composition. Very pleasant background too. Awesome shot Andrew.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
05/05/2009 03:22:56 AM
WTG Andrew !
  Photographer found comment helpful.
05/04/2009 09:34:19 PM
Wow... what a monster score. April has been a really good month for you... your going to give IreneM a run for her money in the points race. Great shot, scored 9 from me.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
05/04/2009 08:18:52 PM
Andrew, congrats on yet another fine accomplishment. Wonderful!!!!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
05/04/2009 08:10:52 PM
Very nice work, congratulations on this well deserved blue.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
05/04/2009 06:13:43 PM
Send it in a pm, but had to go on record.

Congrats on the blue ribbon! As soon as I saw this shot, I thought "drat!!!", because I knew it would beat the bluebirds. Wonderful shot, great owl, incredible eyes! well done!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
05/04/2009 05:37:55 PM
7.9 ! At least I now know what it takes !!!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
05/04/2009 04:09:52 PM
awesome capture, congrats with the ribbon !
  Photographer found comment helpful.
05/04/2009 02:08:07 PM
I had a feeling when I saw this in the challenge that it might be a ribbon contender. And I think the ever-so-slight blur of the wings adds to the feel of motion making it even more effective than if they had been perfectly tack sharp. And wow! What a score! Alot of people get lucky and get personal bests -- but to get a personal best when your highest rated photo is a 7.9+ WOW! You are becoming legendary :) And deservingly so, I might add! Congratulations!!

  Photographer found comment helpful.
05/04/2009 12:59:33 PM
What eyes! fantastic capture! One of the best of this kind I've ever seen! and you cannot wish a better background for this bird
  Photographer found comment helpful.
05/04/2009 11:31:49 AM
Congratualtions.. Superb and well deserved!!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
05/04/2009 09:50:15 AM
Cool! WTG Andrew! Congrats.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
05/04/2009 09:49:30 AM
A beautiful capture/congratulations
  Photographer found comment helpful.
05/04/2009 09:28:47 AM
Congratulations! That isolation is wonderful. Sorry about the score. I had one drop from 8 in the last twenty minutes of voting. *sigh*
  Photographer found comment helpful.
05/04/2009 09:27:56 AM
Awesome focus. Congrats Andrew!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
05/04/2009 08:53:13 AM
Andrew, what an amazing shot! Nicely done. :) congrats on yet another well deserved ribbon.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
05/04/2009 08:40:28 AM
Congratulations on the ribbon!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
05/04/2009 08:32:16 AM
Great image! Congrats on the blue!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
05/04/2009 08:27:18 AM
Favorited - congrats!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
05/04/2009 08:24:48 AM
Congrats again Andrew. Amazing shot.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
05/04/2009 07:45:32 AM
holy moly what a score. congratulations!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
05/04/2009 07:03:38 AM
Seriously, someone in here rated this photo a 2?????!!??!
I see it on just about every winning photo.
A bit of competition really brings out the nasty streak doesn't it.
But all that aside, a wonderful photo and well worthy of the blue ribbon. Congrats!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
05/04/2009 06:33:59 AM
You're on the first page. Congratulations.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
05/04/2009 06:21:44 AM
Great capture Andrew, congratulations on your win. :)
  Photographer found comment helpful.
05/04/2009 05:18:33 AM
Wow Andrew... congratulations on yet another ribbon... great shot, indeed..
  Photographer found comment helpful.
05/04/2009 04:50:26 AM
Hehe, I went through the voting thinking: "Damn, this owl is way better than mine!". Congratulations on an absolutely stunning shot.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
05/04/2009 04:23:08 AM
Best of show - Congrats on a great image. Well deserved.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
05/04/2009 03:02:09 AM
Congratulations on you collection of BLUES...
Excellent finish.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
05/04/2009 02:41:43 AM
Congratulations on your blue ribbon and PB. Excellent shot!!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
05/04/2009 01:40:24 AM
I love owls...congratulations, thx for details.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
05/04/2009 01:33:24 AM
Well, Andrew, no one could have hit the nail on the head as well as you did with this spectacular entry. BRAVO!!!!!!!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
05/04/2009 01:09:41 AM
Brilliant image, Andrew! Great clarity, really excellent. Congrats on winning.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
05/04/2009 12:37:50 AM
Oh God Andrew, you almost got the magic 8! You're D3 is paying off...I must go to this place next time I am in Singapore later this year. You are doing an amazing job, congratulations

  Photographer found comment helpful.
05/04/2009 12:22:25 AM
Great capture and congrats on the Blue.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
05/04/2009 12:09:39 AM
This deserved the Blue hands down. Simply stunning image.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
05/04/2009 12:01:51 AM
Congrats.....Ribbon Hogger....!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
05/04/2009 12:01:37 AM
Andrew - you always do such an excellent job with your animal shots. Congrats on the blue!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
 Comments Made During the Challenge
05/03/2009 11:07:03 PM
Beautiful capture. I love those vibrant eyes.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
05/03/2009 09:06:43 AM
8 - Good clarity and I like the unusual angle.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
05/02/2009 11:03:10 AM
Awesome!! The detail, positioning, colors. You've captured "that" particular moment in flight...and I happen to love owls :)
  Photographer found comment helpful.
05/02/2009 01:30:45 AM
I'll see this one near the top. Those killer (literally) eyes make the shot even better.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
05/01/2009 09:11:12 PM
If this doesn't take the blue I'll be very surprised. Perfect capture. My only criticism would be something not in the original photo - I think this image would have been stronger without the top/bottom border. You already have a perfect background that separates the image from the background very well.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
05/01/2009 03:58:32 PM
I voted earlier in the week and this stunning image deserves a 10! (not a fan of the border, but the photo is just superb!)

Edit: I never learned to spell...;-/

Message edited by author 2009-05-04 01:32:36.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
05/01/2009 08:44:40 AM
Simply gorgeous. Best luck!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
05/01/2009 07:56:07 AM
Outstanding capture. 9
  Photographer found comment helpful.
04/30/2009 11:55:06 PM
Beautiful capture.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
04/30/2009 05:18:20 PM
Wow what an awesome capture. Nice job.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
04/30/2009 04:53:09 PM
impressive capture
  Photographer found comment helpful.
04/30/2009 04:17:59 PM
Hypnotic eyes, lovely clarity of colours in eyes and feathers, with nice contrast against background.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
04/30/2009 03:51:12 PM
I like that the wings are down not up
  Photographer found comment helpful.
04/30/2009 12:48:53 PM
I like the composition , the focus being so sharp on the eyes and the blur of the wings show speed and motion. The bokeh is great. Nice bright color in the eyes makes this even more attractive. This one gets my vote.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
04/29/2009 09:05:48 PM
Dead Ringer! I wouldn't doubt that this one will take the cake! Great Capture.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
04/29/2009 09:00:56 PM
it might just pop out of my comp screen. brilliantly captured. this should place high.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
04/29/2009 05:01:45 PM
Love those intense, HUGE, very yellow eyes! Motion in the wings is a perfect complement to the sharp expression.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
04/29/2009 02:03:49 PM
Crystal clear eyes and wonderful deep green background really set this apart.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
04/29/2009 08:43:12 AM
Fabulous shot!! Ribbon contender i bet..
  Photographer found comment helpful.
04/29/2009 08:06:02 AM
I like everything on this photograph: the sharpness of the eyes, motion of the wings, nicely blurred background of good color, and the composition, too. Very well done!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
04/29/2009 07:23:55 AM
Amazing, clear eyes, and flight.. excellent use of theory of thirds.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
04/28/2009 11:52:23 PM
Wow, such focus in those eyes, great comp.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
04/28/2009 07:24:06 PM
Great shot.
Makes me wonder what he is focusing on with that stare/glare.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
04/28/2009 06:28:26 PM
Wow, great capture! 10
  Photographer found comment helpful.
04/28/2009 04:56:11 PM
Awesome capture, I expect this will be on the front page
  Photographer found comment helpful.
04/28/2009 10:20:58 AM
My pick for the blue. Facinatng photo. 10
  Photographer found comment helpful.
04/28/2009 07:58:53 AM
Perfect.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
04/28/2009 04:05:03 AM
Excellent work!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
04/27/2009 11:56:23 PM
the best of the challenge by far! 10!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
04/27/2009 09:08:21 PM
Gorgeous - especially those eyes! 10
  Photographer found comment helpful.
04/27/2009 08:07:27 PM
At first glance, this image came across as over sharpened, but on review, this was a mistaken impression. The intensity of the bird's eyes, the rich and in depth detail, the perfectly composed background demonstrates how to capture motion perfectly. While the image could use a little better crop on the left, it works perfectly as is. Originally rated a 9, it has been rerated a 10. Well done - a top ten contender and a potential ribbon winner.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
04/27/2009 02:57:33 PM
Focused! Not your best picture but still very very good.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
04/27/2009 01:19:18 PM
Very cool - love his wing position and absolute focus.
  Photographer found comment helpful.
04/27/2009 07:40:46 AM
wow. cool shot. not a fan of the eyes being so saturated, but on this site it can only help :)
  Photographer found comment helpful.
04/27/2009 04:13:14 AM
Amazing!
  Photographer found comment helpful.
04/27/2009 12:16:41 AM
wow -- what a brilliant shot! how do you get those eyes so sharp and in focus when they're moving like that??
  Photographer found comment helpful.


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